Plaque to mark place where 'The Beatles truly began' in Liverpool

A landmark venue that hosted the Beatles' first ever show is to receive a historical plaque. In 1960, the Jacaranda was the first venue to host John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison, alongside Stuart Sutcliffe and Pete Best, under the name that was to make musical history, The Beatles.

Awarded by World Origin Site, the plaque is a celebration of ground-breaking events that shaped the modern world. It marks the place, people, and moment when something revolutionary was invented, discovered, or first used.

Among its accredited sites are landmarks such as the first rocket launch, the Wright brothers' inaugural powered flight, and the discovery of penicillin. The plaque at The Jacaranda, marking The Beatles’ first performance at the on Slater Street venue will join this esteemed company.

There will be a special unveiling ceremony later today, Friday August 23, for the plaque, beginning at 5pm. With activities planned on all three floors, featuring live music, big surprises, and the actual unveiling itself at 6pm.

The location of this historic performance has long been acknowledged by dedicated fans and music historians, yet it remains relatively unknown to the wider fan base. Now tourists in Liverpool and visitors to Slater Street will be able to take a photo in front of the place where The Beatles truly began.

While still embracing its Beatles heritage, The Jacaranda now thrives as more than a simple tourist spot. It hosts live music every night, serving as a vital hub for grassroots performances and sustaining Liverpool's musical heritage and future.

Dave McCabe, frontman of The Zutons, said: “Grassroots music venues like The Jacaranda are so important because without them there’s no growth, there’s no education and there’s no real experience. They give you a chance to learn about what it is you love about music and find an answer as to why you wanted to do it in the first place.”

Martin Wilkie, Director of World Origin Site, said: “We are here to help venues, museums and companies focus on the people, places and moments that have helped to make our modern world. We started by highlighting the laboratory in which Fleming discovered Penicillin, Kitty Hawk where the Wright Brothers proved man could fly and even The Isle of Wight where Marconi built the world’s first radio station. Without these discoveries and inventions the world might not have ever had The Beatles!"

Graham Stanley, Director of The Jacaranda, added: “We have always been proud of our Beatles heritage, but we haven’t had a clear way to explain it until now. Being awarded World Origin Site status is an amazing privilege for us. It probably wasn’t a big gig for the band; their name and reputation were really made during the Hamburg tour which began just days later. But our venue is where they adopted the most famous band name in history.”

Mark Davyd, CRO Music Venue Trust, said: “The Jacaranda exemplifies everything Music Venue Trust and the community of grassroots music venues across the country have been telling the government and the music industry for ten years.

"It’s a space with an incredible history that is still playing a key role in supporting and nurturing news and developing artists. It’s fantastic to see this important plaque recognise its historic role, and just as important that the new government works with the live music industry to ensure that its vital role in the future of UK music is equally respected and appreciated.”

Diane Glover, Marketing Manager at The Beatles Story, said: "Liverpool’s leading Beatles’ attraction, The Beatles Story are thrilled that the birthplace of Merseybeat, the legendary Jacaranda, is getting its due recognition with a green plaque. This hidden gem was where the band cut their teeth, and this award cements its place as a cornerstone of Liverpool's musical heritage."

The Jacaranda Club was opened by The Beatles’ first manager Allan Williams in 1957. The Beatles performed there frequently under various names, but it was in August 1960 that they played their first ever show under their now-iconic name The Beatles.

John Lennon once described the Jacaranda in an interview as "The place in Liverpool”. A tour of the club's basement is featured in The Beatles' documentary series, Anthology. This segment includes their first recording, "In Spite Of All The Danger," playing over footage of The Jacaranda’s basement, along with audio clips of the band reminiscing about their early years and sharing memories of The Jacaranda.

Since reopening in 2014, The Jacaranda has become a forward-thinking establishment, dedicated to nurturing grassroots music. It provides opportunities for emerging bands, aiming to serve as a launchpad for their success, much like it did for The Beatles in 1960.