BEST CELLARS

Cavern boss Jon recalls surprise guests at club as he backs live music campaign

- By PAUL MCAULEY ECHO Correspondent

IT may be one of the most famous music venues on Earth, but there are still some celebrities who can leave the management open-mouthed when they arrive.

Jon Keats, the director of The Cavern Club and Cavern Pub, has spoken about what it really takes to keep the Liverpool institution thriving, and the importance of grassroots live music venues.

In the Three Landlords Walk Into A Bar podcast, Jon has shared stories from the Cavern’s past and present, including an intimate gig from singer Adele in 2011 before she reached the heights of fame she has today.

Jon recalled how he got a call from a radio station asking if he’d host an intimate gig for an artist who'd had some success with her debut album, 19 - and that artist was Adele.

He said: “She launched [her second album] 21 at the Cavern - just 120 people in the room.