The Liverpool Scene

The moniker Liverpool Scene originated in a poetry collection that included contributions from Roger McGough, Adrian Henri (b. 10 April 1932, Birkenhead, England, d. 20 December 2000, Liverpool, England), and Brian Patten. Their subsequent readings on the UK television programme Look Of The Week were underscored by guitarist Andy Roberts (b. 12 June 1946, Hatch End, Middlesex, England). McGough and Henri later committed The Incredible New Liverpool Scene to tape, delivering authoritative renditions of signature pieces such as ‘Let Me Die A Young Man’s Death’ (McGough) and ‘Tonight At Noon’ (Henri). With McGough concentrating on Scaffold, Henri and Roberts recruited Mike Hart (guitar/vocals), Mike Evans (saxophone/vocals), Percy Jones (bass) and Brian Dodson (drums) to establish a fully electric rock outfit. Early support from disc jockey John Peel placed the group at the centre of the British underground network, highlighted by a strong set at the 1969 Isle Of Wight Festival. Their 1968 album “Amazing Adventures Of...” showcased the sextet at peak form, yet follow-up releases, though creditable, never recaptured the same equilibrium of music and words, leading to the band’s dissolution in 1970. Prior to the appearance of 1969’s Bread On The Night, Hart had already departed for a solo path. Roberts subsequently achieved recognition with Plainsong before rejoining Henri and McGough inside Grimms. A short-lived Liverpool Scene revival occurred in 1974.