The Beatles play at The Cavern, Mathew Street _320
A beacon of Liverpool’s homegrown culture
JONATHAN GOULD has been writing and researching Can’t Buy Me Love for 18 years.
During this time, he has formed a strong feel for the city and its greatest asset. Does he think Liverpool should have done more with The Beatles? “Liverpool is so fiercely loyal to itself,” he says.
“Even from 1963/64, when they became really famous, the possession of first Britain and then America and the world, there was a sense among local patriots that they had gone. They’re off.
“I don’t know if that for a long time prevented Liverpool capital- sing on them. They became a very strong cultural, rather than polit- ical, influence. A brilliant career move was breaking up at the absolute height of their fame and creative power. My kids (daughter Ellie, 24, and Oliver, 20) each got to a point where they discovered The Beatles, though I didn’t beat them over the head with their music. This has been repeated in the lives of countless families.
“Liverpool has got something that will last forever. But Liverpool has always been uncertain about whether it should look to the future or the past.
“But The Beatles are the beacon of its homegrown culture.”
