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Much of Liverpool's history has its own place in popular culture: Liverpool is the official Capital of Pop, according to the Guinness Book of Records, with more than 50 number 1s since the charts began in 1953 - not to mention the Four Lads that Shook the World.

If you're interested in Liverpool's musical history, the Beatles Story is a great starting place; world-famous names like the Cavern Club, Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields are within easy reach of the city centre. The National Trust also runs two former Beatles' homes: 20 Forthlin Road and Mendips, home of the young John Lennon and his Aunt Mimi.

... and not forgetting ...
Our city's place in the story of pop didn't start and finish with the Fab Four. Their contemporaries in the Merseybeat scene and musicians as diverse as Echo and the Bunnymen, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Atomic Kitten have roots in the city. And that's because we have a thriving live music scene, which takes in jazz, rock, blues, indie and folk, among others. There are exciting times ahead for music lovers the opening of the Echo Arena Liverpool in early 2008 is the number one venue for larger acts.

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra performs to packed audiences in its Art Deco hall on a regular basis,
proving that quality music is in the veins of every Liverpudlian.

The Beatles

BBC website

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall website

Echo Arena Liverpool website