We have assembled an exceptionally wide-ranging and prestigious cross-section of major figures from Liverpool's music scene over the last five decades to explore and discuss what it is that has made Liverpool the magical birthplace of more hits per capita than any other city in the world.  

The 60s (and late 50s) -
Bill Harry, the man who introduced John Lennon to Stu Sutcliffe while at college together, the founder of Mersey Beat magazine, in fact the coiner of the very term 'Mersey Beat', and the writer of many books about Liverpool music, represents The Cavern era.
 
The 70s -
Steve Allen, better known to many as 'Enrico Cadillac Jnr', lead singer of Deaf School, described by Paul du Noyer, founder of Mojo: "In the whole history of Liverpool music two bands matter most, one is The Beatles the other is Deaf School. After the pop revolution of the 60s it looked as if the city's music scene had dried up forever, but in1975 there came a motley band of Liverpool art students who were the catalyst for the most dramatic revival since Lazarus."
 
The 80s (and late 70s) -
Andy McCluskey - Orchestral Manoueuvres In The Dark singer/songwriter, the man behind Atomic Kitten, and the owner of Liverpool's Motor Museum recording studios.
David Balfe - Co-founder of Zoo Records, Teardrop Explodes keyboardist & original co-manager/co-producer of Echo & The Bunnymen (later best known for signing Blur to his Food label).
Both represent the scene that grew out of the legendary Erics club.
 
The 90s -
James Barton - founder and boss of the Cream empire which put Liverpool on the map for nineties clubbers.
 
The Present -
Alan Wills, once drummer with The Wild Swans, Shack and Top, and founder of Liverpool's currently most successful label, Deltasonic, home of The Coral and The Zutons.
 
After the panel discussion there will be a Q&A session, if time permits.