British artist Stuart Sutcliffe is the former bassist for The Beatles. The tragic life story of Stuart Sutcliffe, "the fifth Beatle

When it comes to the members of the Beatles ensemble, we always remember only four world famous name, and we completely forget about those people who were part of the group at the dawn of its formation. One of these people, and remained in the shadow of their eminent colleagues, was Stuart Sutcliffe (Stuart Sutcliffe).

Stewart was born on June 23, 1940 in a family of employees. Although Sutcliffe was a creative person, he never had the desire to devote his life to music. He was more interested in painting, literature, films and mystical philosophy. While studying at the Liverpool College of Art, Stuart met with. The two soon became close friends and often spent their entire lives together. free time. Lennon wrote poems and stories that captivated Stuart. In turn, John was struck by Sutcliffe's intellect, deep knowledge in various fields of art. There was even a period when they rented a house together. Stewart attended the band's rehearsals, but he couldn't really play anything himself. John really wanted his best friend to join the band and play bass. But the tool for students was an unaffordable luxury.

Various sources mention the incident of a fight in different ways, in which Stuart and John were beaten by hooligans. This is understandable, because the witnesses of those events have long been dead and this episode cannot be restored to the smallest detail. However, there is a fact of a fight, during which Stewart received a head injury. It is believed that this case later became fatal for him.

Sutcliffe was the top student in the class, his paintings aroused some interest. In the winter of 1960, at one of the prestigious exhibitions organized by John Moore (John Moore), Sutcliffe's painting was bought. In fact, the owner of the exposition, Mr. Moore, after the exposition closed, bought this canvas for 65 pounds sterling. turned up Lucky case and Lennon's perseverance led to Stewart buying himself a bass guitar and joining the band.

The ensemble began to participate in various competitions of youth groups. However, Stewart did not really know how to play his guitar. Often he stood with his back to the audience, imitating the game. When the organizers of the competitions approached the band with a request to replace Stewart on stage with another musician, John reacted sharply to these proposals with a phrase like - or we play at full strength together, or we all leave.

There is an opinion that it was Stuart who suggested renaming the ensemble to The Beetles (Beetles), and John replaced one of the letters “e” with “a” in the name. Only a few home rehearsal recordings of the band featuring Stuart Sutcliffe, made at home, have survived to this day. There are no professional recordings with him.

Soon Stuart Sutcliffe, as a full member of the Beatles, went with the group on their first foreign tour. On August 17, 1960, the Beatles took to the stage of the Hamburg club Indra in the following line-up: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Stuart Sutcliffe,. The group played in this club for a short time. On October 4, after complaints about loud noise from residents of apartments located above the club, the Beatles moved to perform at another nearby club - Kaiserkeller (Kaiserkeller).

Once, Klaus Voormann, a student at the local art college, wandered into the Kaiserkeller. Seeing the Beatles on stage, he was simply fascinated by them. A few days later, Klaus reappeared at the club, but with his college friends Jürgen Vollmer and Astrid Kirchherr. Klaus's friends also liked the reckless Beatles, fervently beating the rhythms of rock and roll, from which no one could sit at their tables. Over time, the trinity met the musicians, and between Astrid and Stuart began very warm relations. They both had a lot in common in their outlook on life, they loved french impressionists were fascinated by the occult. Gradually, a close relationship grew into love.

Jurgen and Astrid trained as photographers. It is thanks to these people that today we have those unique photos, which have preserved for us the atmosphere of the very first steps to fame of the then unknown Beatles.

In December 1960, when the Beatles returned to their homeland, Stewart stayed in Hamburg with Astrid. He was again drawn to the fine arts. The group began to realize that they were "losing" the bassist and Paul McCartney at that time for the first time took up the bass guitar.

On their second trip to Hamburg in the spring of 1961, the Beatles began playing at the prestigious Top Ten club on the Reeperbahn. Stewart was still uselessly present on stage and from this the tension in the group only escalated. He continued to play in the group only due to the fact that he was a close friend of John, who, by seniority, was in charge. After completing a 3-month contract, the Beatles went home. At Christmas 1961, Stewart came home with Astrid to introduce his bride to his family. They were going to get married in the summer of 1962 after Stewart graduated from art college. At this time, Stewart began to increase dizziness and severe headaches. Obviously, the consequences of a head injury received during a long-standing fight affected.

A close friend of the Beatles, Horst Fascher, invited the Beatles back to Hamburg for the opening of a new establishment called the Star Club, which was to take place on April 13, 1962.

Literally a day before the arrival of the Beatles in Hamburg, Stewart had another attack. On April 10, 1962, Stuart Sutcliffe died literally in the arms of his fiancée Astrid from a cerebral hemorrhage.
The Beatles learned about tragic death friend immediately upon arrival in Hamburg from Astrid. Stuart was buried in his homeland.

Despite the fact that many reference materials the name of Stuart Sutcliffe is undeservedly silent about the history of the Beatles ensemble, he nevertheless stayed in the group for more than 2 years and was its full member. Members of the ensemble honored his memory in 1967 by placing Stewart's photograph in a collage of celebrities on the front cover of the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band LP. In 1995, another photograph of him was featured on the cover of The Beatles' Anthology.

In the early 1990s, at an auction in New York that sold items belonging to the legendary Beatles and the archives of photographer Astrid Kirchherr, a huge sum was paid by an anonymous buyer for a letter to Stuart Sutcliffe from John Lennon and oil paintings by Stuart Sutcliffe. No matter how great the loss of this artist for visual arts When the name Sutcliffe is mentioned, the time when he was the "fifth" Beatle is considered the main episode of his life.

Family

Stuart grew up in a close-knit family of naval officer Charles and school teacher Millie, surrounded by sisters Polina and Joyce. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on June 26, 1940.

The makings of an artist manifested themselves in a boy in early age. He could not imagine himself without painting, and after graduating from school in Preston he entered the Liverpool Art College. It was in college that he had a fateful acquaintance with John Lennon. And in the same college there were connoisseurs of his talent as an artist.

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Stuart Sutcliffe did not even think about a career as a musician. Stu was already a recognized talent, unlike John Lennon, who toiled and dreamed of fame as a musician. The intelligent, open-minded Stuart and the bully John became close friends and even shared a room at one time. Stuart Sutcliffe, according to classmates, was obsessed with painting. Wherever possible, he makes sketches, the whole room was littered with his sketches. Reckless John did not understand this and sought to captivate his friend with his musical projects.

The decisive factor was the purchase of a bass guitar for the first fee from the sale of Stewart's painting. There are only four strings in the bass, John said, there is nothing to be able to play there. And so it happened - Stuart Sutcliffe became just an appendix, and a beautiful one, to the chic Hofner-President bass guitar. So he became the bassist of the first composition of the legendary Liverpool band and was from 1959 to 1961.

Gifted Artist

Back in college as part of an exhibition of work famous artist John Moores at the prestigious Walker Gallery in Liverpool, Sutcliffe's "Summer Painting" was bought for crazy money - 65 pounds. By the way, Mures himself bought it, and it was an amount equal to almost two months' salary of a worker.

The early works of the artist are made in the style of post-war Britain "Angry Young People" ("Angry Young Men"). The background was chosen gloomy, the gothic direction is clearly visible, and rough strokes, like those of Van Gogh, give the canvases not sophistication, but inner strength.

After meeting in June 1961 with Astrid Kirchherr and Stew's decision to leave music and devote himself entirely to painting, he enters the Hamburg Art College of Art, where he becomes the best student. At this time, his work acquires a touch of impressionism. Abstract forms give way to lyrical motifs, they express their love for Astrid Stuart Sutcliffe. Paintings "Self-portrait" and "Crucifixion" replenish Walker's gallery.

Throughout his life he explores abstraction, expressionists. Numerous drawings and paintings confirm the birth of a talent whose name is Stuart Sutcliffe. The growth of his skill was noted by his teachers, such as Paolisi and the idol of Stew and Lennon Bretby (the one who would later paint a portrait of Paul McCartney surrounded by celebrities). Stuart's paintings acquire dynamism and retain mystery.

His paintings have no titles, he paints many portraits. All of Stuart's portraits look like sketches, but they open the soul, clearly convey facial features.

At the very time when Stuart Sutcliffe is about to marry his beloved Astrid, and his talent is being recognized, he suddenly dies. Thus ends the career of a talented twenty-two-year-old boy who could become a highly paid and famous artist.

Stuart Sutcliffe cause of death

He died of a cerebral hemorrhage on April 10, 1962 at his bride's in Hamburg. His for a long time suffered from headaches. Many associated their appearance with a fight in 1960 in Literland. John Lennon, not embarrassed in terms, explained to drunken listeners what he thinks about the remarks about the group's repertoire. Following this, bottles flew onto the stage, a fight ensued. Result: John Lennon had both eyes blackened, Pete Best and George Harrison had their noses smashed, and Stewart had a couple of beer bottles smashed on his head. But that wasn't the only brawl while Stuart Sutcliffe was still a member.

Later, many years later, Stewart's mother tried to start an investigation, but it came to nothing.

Afterword

After Stuart's death, Astrid and John became very close friends. This is not surprising - the bitterness of the loss of a person so beloved by them brought together not very loving friend friend of people. They were brought together by Sutcliff Stewart. Artist before last day wrote touching letters to John, accompanied them with cartoons and drawings, and signed them in the name of Jesus Christ. John responded by signing letters on behalf of John the Baptist. Astrid Kirchherr is an outstanding photo artist, she is now 74 years old. She was married twice, but Sutcliffe considers her only lover.

Legacy of a short life

The collection of paintings and drawings of the artist is preserved by his sisters. It presents original paintings, sketches and drawings, as well as photographs by Astrid Kirchherr, his first guitar (given to Paul McCartney), and letters written to John Lennon. Exhibitions of the collection were held in different countries. In 2008, Astrid brought part of the collection to Moscow and Russian admirers of the Liverpool Four could see it.

The Beatles honored Stu's memory by placing his photo on the cover of the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (1967) and "Anthology 1" (1995).

ABOUT love triangle Astrid - John - Stewart made the film "Backbeat" (1993). Director Ian Softley, famous for his progressive style, made the film biographical, taking the period of the band's life in Hamburg. "Five guys, four legends, three lovers, two friends and one girl" - this slogan accompanied the film and in Russian box office(in Russia at the box office was called "The Fifth in the Quartet").

Official biographer bands The Beatles Hunter Davis writes about the death of Stuart Sutcliffe: "The most talented of The Beatles has died." We can't judge how talented Stew was as a bass player, the recordings are only on unofficial archival records. But the fact that the world has lost a talented artist is undeniable.

Interview with Stuart Sutcliffe's sister Pauline Sutcliffe

byGaryJames

He was one of the original Beatles. He was on stage with John, Paul, George and Pete Best in their early years in England and also in Hamburg. John once said "I looked to Stu. I depended on him to be told the truth. Stu would tell me if something was good and I believed him." Yoko noted that "I felt like I knew Stuart because hardly a day went by when John didn't talk about him."

Stuart Sutcliffe left the Beatles in 1961 to study painting. Just a year later, on April 10, 1962, Stuart Sutcliffe died of a cerebral hemorrhage. He was 21 years old. Stuart Sutcliffe's contribution to the Beatles was long ignored. It was Stuart Sutcliffe who was the first Beatle to wear a collarless jacket on stage. Stuart Sutcliffe was also the first Beatle to wear the famous Beatles hairstyle. And it's Stuart Sutcliffe came up with the idea to name the bandTheBeatles.

Pauline Sutcliffe, sister of Stuart Sutcliffe, doesn't give many interviews. She, however, agreed to talk to us about her brother's life, his legacy, his paintings and the Beatles.

Q - Pauline, you've been living in the States for four and a half years and you call Long Island your home?

A - Yes.

Q - What are you doing in Long Island? What is your daily life like?

A - (laughter) I get up, make coffee... no... I'm here for a number of reasons. First, I love this place. I am now half retired. As you know, I am the sole executor of the Stuart Sutcliffe Estate and I brought the collections with me so I can manage them now and focus more energy and effort on them. I also do a number of exhibitions and at this point in my life I allow more work to be offered for sale than in the past where I put some things up for sale but mostly did exhibitions for people to come and see the work. I am also preparing another book, and I am co-authoring another book with another colleague. So, I'm having a very busy time here. There is also an exhibition that's being created for Liverpool, which has been designated a European city of culture, and they are doing a retrospective of his work, which is one of the main exhibitions in the European city of culture's prestigious year. So, it goes on. The director of the University of Liverpool comes out again and again for two weeks to put the ribbons on it all. He came out a few days early to put it all together. So I have a very busy life and a very busy time. I just attended today business meetings within four hours.

Q - Who buys Stuart's painting? Is it people or companies likeHardRockCafe?

A - There are two collections: artefacts and memorabilia and then there is fine art.HardRockCafe have bought some stuff through Sotheby's over the years. Some time ago they bought his guitar. Sales go mainly through trade shows or privately. Recently, with a current colleague who helps run the Stuart Sutcliffe Estate, we got Stuart's website up and running. We are starting to sell some fine art and exhibits and memorabilia through the website (stuartsutcliffeart.com)

Q - Do you say you sell original paintings of your brother or do you sell copies?

A - Originals. From time to time I do very, very small limited editions, maybe one or two images. But right now, we're in the business of selling some originals.

Q - How can you do it now? Don't you want to keep them?

A - Well, how long have I had them, Gary?

Q - Maybe forty-five years old.

A - It's been a long time. (laughter) I do have my own private collection that is not for sale and then I have museum collection, which has been around the world for many years. But, I am now ready to start selling because he is widely known now. His work is widely known. A lot of people have seen this. So, I now consider it possible to let this go into private hands.

Tell me why you wanted to interview me?

Q - Stuart Sutcliffe has always been such a mysterious guy in Beatles history. He's mentioned, of course, but you never walk away knowing who he really was. I hope this interview will provide that insight.

A - Let me just touch on part of what you said. You are right. Was alone documentary about Stewart, which was commissioned by the BBC in the UK and is called " TheLostBeatles". It is now out of commercial distribution.DigitalClassics. It was actually just released in Australia. He was many years here in Manhattan on the canalOvationChannel. It was highly acclaimed by critics. This is a stunningly good documentary. Of course, I am involved in it, but not only did I approve of it, I really like it. You know the Anthology is very, very superficial about him, and you know historically that the Beatles have always been sketchy about him, which is why I published my latest book “ TheLostBeatles and why this DVD is missing, because it's really quite embarrassing for them, the way they understood his contribution to their early history, in their name, what they looked like and what helped make them different. Thus, some part of this record is gradually understood correctly. And that's partly why I'm also doing this interview with you. With people who are really interested in filling his portrait, I'm interested in talking.

Q - What was the age difference between you and your brother?

A - Almost four years.

Q - Did you ever come to see him when he was with the Beatles?

A - Always.

Q - Always?

A - Absolutely. From the first day.

Q - Where did they perform when you saw them?

A - Oh, honey, you should have read books. You know, I'm now 63 years old and wasLitherlandHallwas a nightclubtheCaribbean. Can I remember such details? Read books. I've been there since Day One.

Q - What was the reaction of the audience to the music they played?

A - What is the center of this universal question? Various crowds. different year. Different day. Dive into Upper Parliament Street where everyone was drinking and it was 3 in the morning and I wasn't there. TheCavernClub. Unlicensed. You couldn't buy a drink atCavernClub. People don't seem to understandCavernClub that no one drank there. And no one was on drugs. You could only have a drink. Take the drug first. So all the excitement was just about the band and the dynamics in the room. They were known. They were famous before they became famous. They were the hottest thing in England.

Q - You were quoted as saying "My mother, when she was dying, told me not to be associated with the Beatles, not to show letters or memorabilia, but to promote Stewart as an artist. She thought the Beatles were destructive and dangerous, and I found that her words were true." Destructive and dangerous? The Beatles sang about peace and love, didn't they? What did your mother mean?

A - (laughter) You know what? I think this is one of the cutest questions I've been asked in a very long time.

Q - Honey?

A - Yes. I mean, you pointed it out beautifully and correctly. I don't believe for a minute that you think they were always sweet and only about the world. You know they were very competitive.

Q - Yes.

A - Extremely narcissistic.

Q - I understand that they were ambitious, competitive and driven. You have to be ok to reach the top. The Beatles sang love songs, Pauline. Dangerous and destructive? What does this mean?

A - What do you think that could mean?

Q - They may not have been as good as they may have been when they got to the top. Perhaps they used people or stepped on people. But, you could probably say that about anyone who has become a star.

A - Of course. What do you think they did to each other? What do you think of the still ongoing feud between Paul and John?

Q - Probably money. Whatever animosity exists between Paul and Yoko, perhaps it's centered around pay... who gets the most pay. Instead of Lennon - McCartney; McCartney - Lennon.

A - Well, they have enough money, don't you think so? I guess it's enough, but for some people it's never enough. But anyway, you just hit the mark. Do you know what you should remember? The Beatles were once the most famous people on the planet. If they had said to tear this man off the face of the earth, it would have been done.

Q - I remember Paul giving a TV interview in which he solved the problem of the Beatles' popularity and the material they wrote and sang. He said something about how they might have been singing about Satan but chose to sing about love instead.

A - Because they were smart and knew they would get more fans for peace and love than for satan, honey. So, they are very calculating, but they are also extremely talented. Brilliant, brilliant people. But, they had power, and my mother recognized it, and did not want her remaining two children to be on this path. It was so easy. You should be proud of a parent who wants to protect her two remaining children when she just lost one of them.

Q - Actually Stuart came up with the nameTheBeatles after watching the movie with Marlon Brando "Wild Ones". John, when asked about the band's name, always told the story of the "man on the flaming pie".

A - You have to remember that these guys were high as kites in these interviews and told all this nonsense to the media what they had to do. They gave irreverent answers to this bullshit. Finally you read in the "Anthology" which is a bit of a cover-up, but it's still good book that George says "Stuart thought of him" and Paul says "Oh, John thought of him". Now they both agree, with John and Stuart both dead, that they both picked it up. So finally in "The Anthology" they agree that Stewart was at least 50% responsible for the title. It's good enough for me. I'll take 50% for Stuart since he wasn't given anything initially. So it was progress.

Q - We were also told that the Beatles saw those collarless jackets in France and it was George who came up with what is known as the Beatle haircut. But, that's also false, right?

A - I don't know. The only thing I know is that Jürgen Vollmer was another incredible photographer and part of their group. He did the album cover RockAndRoll". Incredible photographer. Jurgen really cut his hair like that. Astrid cut Stewart's hair like his to be a Beatle. But, she cut his hair like that. He went on stage. George burst into uncontrollable laughter. That's why others did it. Paul and John, or it was him, Paul and George, two of them were then in Paris a few months later, and Jürgen cut the hair of the other two guys.But, Stewart was the first Beatle on the scene with Astrid's haircut.

Q - What about collarless jackets?

A - I have written evidence of Stuart writing to me with a design for collarless jackets. You also have to remember that Pierre Cardin did a wonderful fashion design. But, the result here is that no pop band, no rock and roll band has ever taken the stage like this before. Right?

Q - Right.

A - And I have letters in which my brother designed jackets and trousers without pockets, so that the line would not be broken in any way. So that they look great. Astrid made the first jacket that Stewart wore on stage and I have proof. In fact, I only have copies now because I sold the originals. National galleries and to the Museums of Liverpool, who now have them in one of their museums.

Q - Where did his jacket go?

A - Well, Stuart was actually buried in one of his costumes in Europe. At that time, the bodies were dressed in fine clothes. What's the theme for Friday. Am I answering your questions?

Q - Yes, and I appreciate it. Did you say, or did anyone else say that you believe John and your brother are in a homosexual relationship? How did you come to this conclusion? Did Stuart say anything to you?

A - The press had a reason to have fun with all this and I'm sure you know all this from the Internet.

Q - Not really. I just read a little about it.

A - Oh, sunshine. I don't have much more to say about this than what I have said in my book. Now, I wasn't the original source of this. OK? John was the original source, according to others famous writers or the closest environment, or publicists. So while I'm not the creator of this, I haven't confirmed it in any way. I'm just saying that I'm a very seasoned psychotherapist and given that they've had extremely intimate relationship and also because very young people became involved in an extremely decadent world at the time, they could have explored something like this together. Who knows? I personally don't know, but I think they may or may not have done it. According to the written material, John is the person who originated that story. So, I'm really just commenting on it.

Q - I've never heard of John and Stuart before. I've heard rumors about John and Brian Epstein.

A - Well, there is even new information about it these days. It would seem that there is more evidence to say that this happened than that it did not. But... who cares? But, this story is not generated by me. I'm not interested in her. They were not homosexual in any way. They loved women too much. It doesn't matter to me if they did. I could be less interested. But, I am not the source of this.

Q - Did you see the movie "Backbeat" when it came out?

A - Of course.

Q - When I was interviewing Louise Harrison, George's sister, she said "It's in the scene where George and Mom were supposed to be talking. The scene was so implausible that it was certainly a conversation that never happened between them." Between that and the color of the lipstick the guy was wearing, who was supposed to be my brother, I said, well, I've never seen him wear that colored lipstick. I don't want to waste my time, watching it."

A - First of all, it's something artistic. That movie was just re-released on DVD. We are talking about 1993-1994. I met Louise Harrison many times in the 90s at these Beatles conventions. I had a book and I signed autographs. Anyone who objects to seeing their brother become a pop star with a little bit of makeup is, in my opinion, very stupid indeed. Has she heard of stage makeup? She must grow. Hasn't she seen all the pictures of them putting makeup in their rooms before they go on stage? For God's sake, what century is she living in? This is actually very good film. It's not entirely accurate, but it's a movie. This is not a documentary. This is a very well made film. Even though my involvement was minimal, I still think the director did an incredible job. This is a good movie. If you like films, this is a great film.

Q - Is it true that John had a terrible temper?

A - Absolutely.

Q - Anger out of control?

A - Absolutely. Occasionally. Periodically.

Q - Did you ever see him when he got into such a rage?

A - Absolutely.

Q - What attacked him?

A - I have no idea. Have you read Cynthia's book?

Q - No.

A - It's worth reading her book because she changed her mood a bit. You know, me and her used to be really close. She was always very, very caring about inner world John. In this book, she gives a lot more insight into what a complex, emotionally complex guy he really was. Not enough, I might add, but it's a start. You can't explain irrational anger.

Q - And he was like that before he became famous?

A - Oh, yes. But, you have to understand, even then he was a very brilliant young man, but very complex and misunderstood. That's why he loved Stuart so much, because Stuart really understood him. Stewart knew he was a very special person. Part of his anger was about his disappointments in life, his hurts in life and misunderstandings.

Q - I have this feeling that when John landed in America on February 7th, 1964, he thought of two people who were supposed to be thereshare his success... his mother and Stuart.

A - Right.

Q - And that smile we see plastered on his face.

A - Possibly. You don't need me to tell you how damn bright he was. But that was not seen by most of the people around him then and by people like Stuart who thought he was an extremely special person, when in fact Stuart was viewed as the most extremely special person at the time, which was very flattering for John. Even before the Beatles, when they were together in art school and Stewart was a star student, the most talented artist, which they had at the university for God knows how long. John arrives and this brilliant student loves him and wants to be close to him and they start to share and then John moves into his apartment. It was very, very uplifting for John. You know, it made him feel confident. That I'm not a crazy guy. Someone else thinks I'm brilliant and moving somewhere.

Q - Was Stewart reluctant to become a musician? Did he want to be in a band with them? Was it really forced to make him buy the bass?

A - He wanted to be with his friend John.

Q - Did John ever include Stewart in his songwriting?

A - Yes, and there is more evidence to date about all of this.

Q - Any songs the Beatles recorded?

A - Not that they are officially recognized. There is some material "Anthology", on which Stewart is unfairly not credited. There are bootlegs, and there is some bootleg stuff that just came into my eye, through a friend of mine, and we could do something about it. But again, this is an area in which Stewart has been involved more than the world has known so far.

Q - People always say Murray K. was the Fifth Beatle, or Brian Epstein was the Fifth Beatle, or George Martin was the Fifth Beatle. Was Stewart really the Fifth Beatle?

A - No. Stewart - The fourth Beatle. There were John, Paul, George and Stuart. Then it was John, Paul, George, Stuart and Pete. Pete Best is undoubtedly the Fifth Beatle. And everyone else can be sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh... whatever they want. The only Beatles that count, in my opinion, are the people who went on stage and performed in concert. Pete is underrated. Pete has been a Beatle for a long time. Some of these bootleg tapes that were recently placed in front of me don't have any drummer, and that's part of why we know they're original, because Stewart was in the Beatles before Pete even came along. They also accused Pete of bad game thus, they were not very generous and kind at that time.

Q - Did your brother die of a cerebral hemorrhage or as a result of a beating he received after one of the Beatles concerts?

A - This land was shaking and shelling and I shocked half the world with it. Now things have calmed down and people are actually starting to look at what I was really saying. My brother was beaten several times. In fact, many of them were beaten. It was part of life for the late 50s and early 60s Rock and Roll bands in Liverpool. There were always gangs that got them. You read about it yourself. They were all beaten sometimes. Pete saved him. Sometimes John saved him. You know, it's just part of that world at the time.

Q - What was the reason for all the beatings? Jealousy?

A - Well, it was jealousy because these bands were seen as exotic creatures on the scene and the girls loved them. So the boys in the gangs thought these boys were taking their girls away from them, which was not uncommon. So, it was a boyish rivalry. You know, they were just kids. Remember they were teenagers.

Q - Has it ever crossed anyone's mind to have a bigger guy around to fend off attackers? I don't want to talk bodyguard.

A - Yes, but in those days, what did they earn? Five dollars a night? They couldn't afford this. That's when Neil Aspinall got into it all. He used to take them to shows and set up equipment, and that was progress. It was a very, very primitive, underpaid world out there in those days. And, they've been working their asses for years. They didn't become successful overnight. When they did it, they ground it down. Do you have any idea how many hours a night they played in Hamburg?

Q - I think it was twelve hours at night, seven days a week for three months.

A - It was long, long nights, Sun. As for the other myth about Stewart being unable to play the bass... absolute nonsense! If you couldn't play an instrument after playing for twelve hours a night, night after night, what would you do with yourself?

Q - And yet we read that Stewart was told to turn his back on the audience when he was playing the bass to hide the fact that he couldn't play it. And you say he could play the bass guitar.

A - Look at all the photos. I have only one photo of him turned away. On everyone else, he is sincere, at the forefront, facing the audience. Check out the new DVD StuartSouthcliffe: TheLostBeatles and you'll hear Klaus Wurmann's comment about Stu as the bassist. That's another myth. But, it doesn't matter. It doesn't hurt anyone, does it? It's safe.

Q - Well, it's always better to have the truth.

A - Well, you see that there are so many aspects of truth, don't you? It didn't hurt anyone. the only person The one who would be hurt by any of these myths is Stuart, and he's not around to feel it. And people always come to the good in the end. Take a look at it documented. You turn your eyes to this documentary. This is wonderful.

Q - Do you think there's a chance Stewart could be inducted into the Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

A - Well, guess what! A few years ago they put on the most stunning exhibition of Stewart's work. I came and opened it for them. Nearby was a brilliant exhibition of John's life and work. There they were, these two best friend, next door in the Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Which incredible place. Now, Stewart might not be eligible for this position because he didn't write enough music. I don't know what the criteria are. But, if anyone agrees to start a campaign, I will join them! But, those guys have already done an incredible job for him. If they think he's worthy, and I'm sure they think so of him.

Q - What would you like the world to know about your brother?

A - I wish they knew what he was handsome man With beautiful heart. A brilliant talent who loved life, his friends, his work and who didn't have time to show everyone how much he loves them.