Mersey Beat - Knotty Ash Village Hall

An early picture of Knotty Ash Village Hall circa 1930

 

Situated on East Prescot Road in Knotty Ash, with a 'tudor timbered' appearance, Knotty Ash Village Hall as a music venue in the 1960s was rougher than the notorious Hambleton Hall, a mile or two away in Huyton. It had a reputation for attracting gangs, especially as Friday night was 'pay day' for most which would mean a lot arriving worse for wear with drink. 'The Beatles' usually performed here with 'The Big Three' so it was non stop raucous 'rock 'n roll.

The first of  8 performances by 'The Beatles' at the Village Hall was on the 15th of September 1961, a booking made by Mona Best who at the time held the Friday night concession for the hall ( see above ). They had played earlier that night at the Grosvenor Ballroom, Liscard, Wallasey. 

The final 'gig' here by The Beatles

 

On the 10th of November 1961, for the first of promoter Sam Leach's "Operation Big Beat" concerts at The Tower Ballroom, New Brighton, 'The Beatles' played two sets, the first at 8pm and the second at 11.30pm. In between sets, on a foggy night, they drove to Knotty Ash where they played an extra gig.

'The Beatles' final performance here was on the 17th of March 1962 in a show that was billed as a 'St Patrick's Night Rock Gala', and was promoted by Sam Leach who had taken over the venue after Mona Best had declined to continue promoting beat music events there following Pete Best leaving 'The Beatles'.
'The Beatles' were the headline act on the night supported by 'Rory Storm and the Hurricanes'. The event was also a fundraiser for Leach's engagement party, which took place afterwards in Huyton. 'The Beatles' and the 'Hurricanes' both attended the party, which continued until the following afternoon.

see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2017/10/mersey-beat-alexandra-hall-crosby.html