Mersey Beat - The Blue Angel

The building in which the club is situated was the birthplace in 1805 of  Doctor William Henry Duncan, Liverpool's first Medical Officer of Health, and a plaque above the door commemorates this. Situated at 106-108 Seel Street, next to an antiquarian bookshop, it had previously been operating as the Wyvern Social Club. 'The Blue' as it was known was opened on the 22nd of March 1961 by Allan Williams who also ran the nearby Jacaranda Club in Slater Street.

Allan Williams' dream was to operate a sophisticated night club for affluent and sophisticated clientele. He'd visited the Blue Angel club in London and decided to adopt the title, decorating the main stairway with a huge blow-up of Marlene Dietrich from the film 'The Blue Angel'. Although it was his original intention for the club to be more of a cabaret lounge, the increasing popularity of the 'rock 'n roll' scene, bringing with it much needed cash, resulted in the venue becoming a watering hole for musicians and performers late at night. It became 'the place to be' and would be packed with personalities and members of groups who would arrive shortly before midnight after finishing gigs around the city. Other showbiz personalities such as Tommy Steele, The Bachelors and Bruce Forsyth would also drop by when they were appearing locally. 'The Rolling Stones' and Bob Dylan were also visitors, the latter meeting up with Roger McGough and Mike McGear there after appearing at The Odeon in London Road. 'The Stones' had been appearing in Southport and were invited to 'The Blue' by Bill Harry and ended up giving an impromptu performance on the night.

Inside The Blue Angel

There were various resident bands who played at 'The Blue', including 'The Escorts' (at the time Ringo Starr's cousin was in the band and it was Ringo who arranged their residency), 'The Masterminds' and 'The Nocturnes'.
'The Beatles' and Brian Epstein were not the only regular visitors as 'The Swinging Blue Jeans', 'The Hurricanes', Billy J Kramer, Freddie Star, 'The Chants', 'The Big Three', 'The Dennisons', 'The Searchers', Rory Storm, 'The Undertakers', Mark Peters, Derry Wilkie, Howie Casey, 'The Mojo's' and 'Faron's Flamingoes' were also often seen there. The list is seemingly endless.

George Harrison with Maureen O'Grady at the Blue Angel Club

Although they never performed there, it was the place where 'The Beatles' auditioned for Larry Parnes but one which they 'failed', George Harrison describing it as 'a bit of a shambles'. However 10 days later Billy Fury's agent rang Allan Williams asking at 'the last minute' if he had a band, which resulted in their first tour outside of Liverpool when they supported Johnny Gentle in Scotland.
Pete Best was also 'auditioned' there before The Beatles left for their visit to Hamburg.

Auditioning for Larry Parnes

It was also the place where Brian Epstein decided Cilla Black did have a future as a performer when he was in the audience as she sang ' You Made Me Love You' with John Rubin's Jazz Band. Later in a crowded dressing room he told her he thought she was better singing ballads rather than rock 'n roll and promised her a contract.

see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2018/01/mersey-beat-aintree-institute.html