From past events that are still fondly remembered to recent moments that still make the city proud, Liverpool knows how to throw a party.
Liverpool was a bustling month this month as it transformed into a sea of blue, yellow and glitter for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, hosted on behalf of Ukraine. Over the years we’ve hosted many popular events and Summer Pops is definitely one of them.
The festival was created in 1993 by the conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Carl Davis, to provide a venue for the orchestra to play during the Philharmonic’s refurbishment between 1993 and 1995. But it was so popular that it continued and other artists came on board, with music legends like Paul McCartney, Diana Ross, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, James Brown, The Who and Elton John gracing the famous green and yellow big top.
Continue reading:
Originally based at Kings Dock on the future site of M&S Bank Arena, the Pops temporarily relocated to Trafalgar Dock and Aintree Racecourse during the arena’s construction before triumphantly returning to Kings Dock and Arena in 2008.
Many will remember that comedian Peter Kay also packed up his tent for five nights in a record-breaking sold-out series. But in the early 2010s, the event no longer existed. Here we take a look back at the days of summer pop, from years-unseen ’90s photos to the famous faces who were a part of the popular event and more.
For beautiful, historic images from the past, visit memorylane.co.uk/ and see what there is to discover
Join our Liverpool Memories and History Facebook group here.
For more nostalgia stories, sign up for our Liverpool Echo newsletter here.
Do these memories awaken you? Let us know in the comment section below.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sporting events and news from the Liverpool ECHO by subscribing here
1 of 33
Carl Davis conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic in rehearsals for the Summer Pops concert at the Big Top, Kings Dock. July 1993
(Image: Mirrorpix)
2 of 33
Carl Davis conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic in rehearsals for the Summer Pops concert at the Big Top, Kings Dock. July 1993
(Image: Mirrorpix)
3 out of 33
Conductor Carl Davis at the Philharmonic Hall for the opening of Summer Pops 1996 which will be held under the Big Top at Liverpool’s King’s Dock. March 1996
(Image: Mirrorpix)
4 out of 33
The Summer Pops concert. In the picture the circus tent where the concert takes place. Liverpool, Merseyside. July 4, 1996
(Image: Mirrorpix)
5 out of 33
The Summer Pops concert conducted by Carl Davis in the big top in celebration of the Philharmonic’s fourth Summer Pops season. July 4, 1996
(Image: Mirrorpix)
6 out of 33
Conductor Carl Davis with a clothes rail from his colorful wardrobe. He will wear a different waistcoat for each performance by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic at the Summer Pops. July 1994
(Image: Mirrorpix)
7 out of 33
Liverpool Philharmonic conductor Carl Davis and his seven dwarfs take a break from rehearsals for the Summer Pops season. July 1996
(Image: Mirrorpix)
8 out of 33
Workers begin dismantling the circus tents used for the Summer Pops at Kings Dock, Liverpool
(Image: Trinity Mirror Copyright)
9 out of 33
Fans at the Kop at the Dock celebrate Liverpool FC’s treble winning season at the Summer Pops
(Image: Trinity Mirror Copyright)
10 out of 33
Fireworks finale after last night’s proms at Summer Pops, Kings Dock, Liverpool
(Image: Trinity Mirror Copyright)
11 of 33
Fans sing at the Westlife concert at Summer Pops in Kings Dock, Liverpool
(Image: Trinity Mirror Copyright)
12 of 33
Atomic Kitten members Natasha Hamilton, Liz McClarnon and Jenny Frost outside the 2003 Summer Pops tent at Kings Dock in Liverpool
(Image: Trinity Mirror Copyright)
13 of 33
Heidi Range, born in Liverpool (right), Amelle Berrabah and Keisha Buchanan, the Sugababes, at Liverpool Summer Pops 2006
(Image: Trinity Mirror Copyright)
14 of 33
Aerial view of the tents hosting the 2003 Summer Pops at Kings Dock
(Image: Trinity Mirror Copyright)
15 out of 33
Westlife fans show their support ahead of the concert at Summer Pops Kings Dock, Liverpool. Megan Flemming, aged 10, with her mother Ann (centre) and friends Catherine Walker (left) and Stella King from Vauxhall. It was her 8th Westlife concert
(Image: Trinity Mirror Copyright)
16 of 33
Tom Jones on stage at Summer Pops Kings Dock in Liverpool in 2004
(Image: Trinity Mirror Copyright)
17 of 33
Elton John at the Liverpool Summer Pops in 2002
(Image: Trinity Mirror Copyright)
18 of 33
Full length Bryan Adams at the 2006 Summer Pops
(Image: Trinity Mirror Copyright)
19 of 33
Diana Ross on stage at the Liverpool Summer Pops, at the Liverpool Echo Arena. July 2008
(Image: Trinity Mirror Copyright)
20 out of 33
Alice Cooper at the Liverpool Summer Pops 2003
(Image: Trinity Mirror Copyright)
21 of 33
The Summer Pops concert conducted by Carl Davis in the big top in celebration of the Philharmonic’s fourth Summer Pops season. July 1996
(Image: Mirrorpix)
22 of 33
The Summer Pops concert conducted by Carl Davis in the big top in celebration of the Philharmonic’s fourth Summer Pops season. July 1996
(Image: Mirrorpix)
23 of 33
The Summer Pops concert conducted by Carl Davis in the big top in celebration of the Philharmonic’s fourth Summer Pops season. July 1996
(Image: Mirrorpix)
24 of 33
The Summer Pops concert. Conductor Carl Davis and his wife, actress Jean Boht, are pictured in front of the big top where the concert is taking place. July 4, 1996
(Image: Mirrorpix)
25 out of 33
James Brown on stage at Summer Pops 2006
(Image: Trinity Mirror Copyright)
26 of 33
The Who play to a full audience at The Summer Pops, featuring Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend, with Zak Starkey on drums entertaining fans in 2006
(Image: Trinity Mirror Copyright)
27 of 33
Eric Clapton at the Liverpool Summer Pops with John Mayall and Chris Barber in 2003
(Image: Trinity Mirror Copyright)
28 of 33
The Pet Shop Boys at the Liverpool Summer Pops in 2006
(Image: Photo by David Munn)
29 of 33
Caught at Liverpool Summer Pops 2004 – Caught in Liverpool
(Image: Photo by David Munn/WireImage)
30 out of 33
Renee Olstead and band at Summer Pops
(Image: Photo by David Munn/WireImage)
31 of 33
Gloria Estefan performs at the Liverpool Echo Arena on July 27, 2009 in Liverpool, Summer Pops
(Image: Photo by David Munn/Getty Images)
32 of 33
Amy Winehouse performing at the Summer Pops in Liverpool on July 18, 2007
(Image: Photo by David Munn/WireImage)
33 of 33
Russell Brand performing at Summer Pops 2007 in Liverpool on July 8, 2007
(Image: Photo by David Munn)
CONTINUE READING
Comments are closed.