Disc jockey who helped Beatles to stardom
Bob Wooler, the former Liverpool disc jockey who has been credited with helping launch the Beatles on their road to stardom, died Feb. 8 at the Royal Liverpool Hospital after a lengthy battle with diabetes and a heart condition. He was 76.
Wooler met John Lennon in the 1950s, when both were playing in rival skiffle groups. Wooler later organized the Beatles’ first major appearance — at Liverpool’s the Cavern Club (where he worked as an emcee for seven years until the club shuttered its doors in 1967) — upon their return from performing in Hamburg.
Lennon brought Wooler along with the band when they met Brian Epstein for the first time in late 1961. Wooler gave the Beatles a positive response to Epstein, and they signed Epstein as their manager. When the Beatles and Epstein moved to London, they asked Wooler to join them. He declined, choosing instead to remain in his native Liverpool.
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He and Lennon were also involved in fisticuffs at Paul McCartney’s 21st birthday bash when Wooler questioned Lennon’s heterosexuality.
In later years, Wooler organized Beatle conventions and tours of their former Liverpool hangouts for tourists.
He is survived by his wife, Beryl Adams.
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