Paul McCartney and Linda Eastman visit The Cavern Club

In mid-August 1968, Paul McCartney invited Linda Eastman to visit him in London. Linda travelled to London, arriving in late September. On October 20, 1968, Paul and Linda flew to New York for a few days.

On October 25, 1968, Paul and Linda visited Liverpool to deliver a record player to Paul’s stepsister, Ruth. Around noon, Paul phoned The Cavern Club and inquired if he could return later to give Linda a tour, provided that the press remained unaware.

Alf Geoghegan, the owner of The Cavern, agreed and hurriedly purchased a camera to capture the event. Linda offered, “I’m a good photographer, I’ll take the pictures for you.” She took photos of Paul with Debbie Geoghegan, Alf’s daughter, with Paddy Delaney, the doorman of The Cavern, and on stage with Curiosity Shop, a band managed by Alf that was rehearsing at the club. Paul then hopped on stage with the band and played the drums.

A comment on the blog “Meet the Beatles for Real” suggests the following timeline for the days after this visit:

Paul, Linda, and Neil made a couple back and forth trips to NYC. Paul & Linda were there from the 20th to the 23rd. They came back & then they & Neil flew back to NYC on the 27th. On the 30th they flew to Jamaica and then came back to London on the 1st of November. They spent some time after that in Scotland.

From Meet the Beatles for Real: Paul returns to the Cavern 1968

It was 25th October 1968 and I had paid my usual Friday visit to the hairdressers and arrived at the club mid-morning to start work. Dad was stocking the Top Bar when I arrived.

“We’ve had a visitor,” he said. “Who was it?” I asked. “Paul McCartney,” he said. “So I’ve missed him?” To say I was disappointed doesn’t come close.

“Don’t worry, he’s coming back,” Dad assured me. “You finish stocking the bar and put some champagne on ice. I’m going to the photography shop to buy a camera.”

Dad walked across North John Street to Photo Optics in Dale Street. He had to spin the photographer a yarn that he wanted to take photographs of a group in the club and asked if he’d come over and set up the camera so he wouldn’t have to do anything but take photos.

Paul had just walked into the club and out of the blue, while Dad was stocking the Top Bar ready for the evening. Recognising him instantly, Dad held out his hand.

“Hi, Alf Geoghegan, the Cavern.”

Paul shook his hand and replied, “Hi, Paul McCartney, the Cavern. I’m going over to the Wirral to deliver a record player to Ruth, my stepsister, and I’d like to come back later. I’ve got my girlfriend in the car and I’d like to show her the Cavern, on one condition – you don’t tell the press.”

“You’ve got it,” Dad said. “Would you mind if we took some photographs?”

“No, that’s fine, I’ll be back in about an hour.”

Dad locked the main door to prevent any visitors wandering in. We gathered by the bar where Dad offered them a drink and proceeded to open the champagne.

“I’ll do that,” Linda said. “I’m a good bartender.” She took over and served the champagne.

Dad made a toast: “To Paul and the Cavern.”

He asked Paul again if he could take some photographs and was about to pick up the camera, when Linda said, “I’ll do that, I’m a good photographer.”

She picked up the camera and after altering all the settings started to take the shots. Dad was afraid she’d messed up the camera!

Debbie Greenberg – From “Cavern Club – The Inside Story” by Debbie Greenberg, 2016 (quoted in The Beatles Bookstore)

Paul comes back to Cavern

Paul McCartney, of the Beatles, today made a surprise visit to the Cavern, the Liverpool club which set him on the road to stardom.

Paul, who is visiting relatives on Merseyside, spent about 15 minutes at the club, which has just been given a facelift, by its owner, 59-years-old Mr. Alf Geoghegan.

After signing the cavern’s “Gold Book” — it also holds the signatures of other international stars and also Prime Minister Harold Wilson — Paul left with two young girls who were accompanying him.

From Liverpool Echo – October 25, 1968

Going further

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.