Blues Rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa joins a list of legends in The Cavern Wall of Fame

Joe Bonamassa joined a host of named legends as he received his brick in The Cavern ‘Wall of Fame’ this week ahead of his intimate Cavern gig on June 27th. Bonamassa’s free show at Liverpool’s cellar club is a thank you to his British fans for the support they have shown him through his career. Joe launched his British Blues Explosion concert, which pays homage to some of his musical inspirations including Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, the latter two of whom already feature in the Cavern’s ‘Wall of Fame’.

“This was a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said a jubilant Joe Bonamassa. "I’m so excited to have debuted the British Blues Explosion concert at the Cavern Club. It’s the perfect venue for me to showcase the music of Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. I hope my fans got a kick out of it as much as I did.”

Cavern director Jon Keats said of the show “We are delighted to have had such a great icon as Joe Bonamassa perform at The Cavern. He joins an already great list of blues artists to have adorned the Cavern stage over the years including the Rolling Stones, John Lee Hooker, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. It’s fair to say that Joe is more than worthy of his brick in the ‘Wall of Fame.”

Joe Bonamassa was presented with his brick in the wall on Monday the 27th of June at The Cavern’s Wall of Fame, Mathew Street at 12:15pm.

The Cavern Wall of Fame

In 1997 to celebrate the Cavern’s 40th anniversary and as a tribute to the many performers who appeared at the Club before its closure in 1973, the Cavern Wall of Fame was created. It covers the entire frontage of the Cavern Pub (owned by Cavern City Tours) and each of the 1801 bricks in the wall feature the name of an act, which played the Cavern. Witnessed by thousands of onlookers Gerry Marsden unveiled the Wall of Fame, and then Billy J. Kramer unveiled a life size statue of John Lennon, which now stands leaning against the wall outside the Cavern Pub.

Today only established, high profile artists receive the privilege of being inducted into the Cavern Wall of Fame.

The Cavern Club was the first performance of Joe’s British Blues Explosion tour. The concerts will take place in July.

JOE BONAMASSA IN CONCERT: A SALUTE TO THE - BRITISH BLUES EXPLOSION

Joe Bonamassa pays homage to the music of Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page

SPECIAL GUEST “JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR” OPENS FOR JOE AT HOGTON TOWER, LONDON GREENWICH MUSIC TIME FESTIVAL AND NEWARK CASTLE

Guitar legend's honour at Mathew Street tribute

Joe Bonamassa immortalised
in Cavern Club's Wall of Fame

by JOHN THOMPSON

27 JUN 2016

American Guitar legend Joe Bonamassa arrived in Liverpool today and talked of his pride at being installed into the Cavern Club ’s Wall of Fame in Mathew Street .

The New Yorker is in the city to play the birthplace of The Beatles for the first time ahead of his British Blues explosion tour of the UK and Ireland this summer.

Scores of fans thronged Mathew Street to welcome the Blues Rock star ahead of his invitation only concert in front of 300 fans inside the world famous cellar club.

Joe told the Liverpool ECHO: “We were travelling from Liverpool to I think Bournemouth and Michael and I were pushing ourselves to stay up and we were discussing Liverpool and in particular The Cavern Club. And he was like; ‘Hey, you know, ever think about doing a gig there’ and I said ‘I’d love to d a gig at The Cavern’.

“Long story short we decided that we were going to get in contact with them and see if they were interested in having us come and basically debut this British Blues tribute show.

“So this is the first night of a whole new show - we’re only going to do 13 of them.

“And they were keen on the idea, So it was like ‘OK’. And here we are!

“I had no idea they were going to do like a brick in the wall and I was like ‘Wow, that’s crazy’

“I just thought they were going to let us play and I hoped they didn’t kick somebody out to do it.

“So it was just this random conversation we had and I’m lucky enough and in a position where I can just ring up an agent and say ‘Hey call the Cavern and see if they can get us up.

“You know, I remember days when I couldn’t get a gig, they wouldn’t book me.

“But it has been an honour to be here and they have been so nice and accommodating.

“Especially to give me a brick in the wall...I walked by yesterday and I thought they were going to put me where the pigeons hang out!

“But it’s a very prominent spot and I’m really honoured, really honoured.”

To see more from Joe’s visit, go to our website www.liverpoolecho.co.uk

Source: Liverpool Echo