The Liverpool Scene

The name ‘Liverpool Scene’ was derived from a poetry anthology which featured Roger McGough, Adrian Henri (b. 10 April 1932, Birkenhead, England, d. 20 December 2000, Liverpool, England), and Brian Patten. The writers subsequently appeared on UK television’s Look Of The Week, where their readings were accompanied by guitarist Andy Roberts (b. 12 June 1946, Hatch End, Middlesex, England). McGough and Henri then recorded The Incredible New Liverpool Scene, which included definitive performances of their best-known work, including ‘Let Me Die A Young Man’s Death’ (McGough) and ‘Tonight At Noon’ (Henri). While McGough pursued a career within Scaffold, Henri and Roberts added Mike Hart (guitar/vocals), Mike Evans (saxophone/vocals), Percy Jones (bass) and Brian Dodson (drums) to create an explicitly rock-based ensemble. UK disc jockey John Peel was an early patron and the band quickly found itself an integral part of music’s underground circuit, culminating in their impressive appearance at the 1969 Isle Of Wight Festival. The 1968 release “Amazing Adventures Of...” captured the sextet at their most potent, but successive albums, although worthwhile, failed to match the crucial balance between musical and lyrical content and the unit broke up in 1970. Hart had already left to embark on a solo career prior to the release of 1969’s Bread On The Night. While Roberts initially found fame in Plainsong, he was later reunited with both Henri and McGough in Grimms. A brief Liverpool Scene reunion took place in 1974.