PETER Grant talks to Mersey music expert Spencer Leigh about his new book Twist and Shout.
ROCK 'n' roll archivist Spencer Leigh believes that the selection of Liverpool as the European Capital of Culture 2008 is well deserved - and our contribution to music was a vital factor in the bid.
Spencer wasn't a fan of the illfated proposed Fourth Grace structure, but he hopes that when a new design is announced it will house a Merseybeat museum.
He says: "Liverpool is calling out for such a tribute. Music heritage is much more than nostalgia.
"I am convinced that Liverpool's bid was helped by its sporting heritage but also by its rock 'n' roll music - the latter being every bit as important.
"I believe that if the City of Culture selection had been made a generation earlier, our legendary footballing skills or songwriting ability would not have played such an integral part and the city might not have made even the short list.
"The '60s saw all manner of social revolution and change - not all for the good, but it was spear-headed by the music.
"For the first time British and NOT American acts ruled and the key British ones in 1964 came from Liverpool.
"We should be proud of that. "It's astonishing that from spring 1963 right through to spring 1964 Liverpool groups topped the charts for 45 weeks."
Spencer says that although hundreds of books have been written about The Beatles, most of the authors and researchers miss the point.
Spencer himself has written numerous books on music history and is a broadcaster on BBC Radio Merseyside.
He says: "John Lennon and Paul McCartney's home life, although absorbing in its own right, did little to fashion their music.
