For some time, John Lennon lived with him. They often spent long nights over a bottle of wine and talk about painting and art. Stu was one of the very few people in John Lennon's life for whom John carried a sincere love throughout his life. When Stu was able to sell some of his paintings for £65 in 1959, an amount unheard of in those days for a student, John persuaded him to buy a bass guitar and join his band, despite the fact that he could not play it at all.
Before their first two-week trip to Scotland, where they went as accompanists to Johnny Gentle (Johnny Gentle), it was allegedly Stew Sutcliffe who suggested changing the band's name to The Silver Beatles. The idea of turning a beetle into a beatle is also credited to Stew.
In those years, Liverpool was a rather restless port city, and the violent performances of John and his guys warmed up the lively Liverpool youth. During one of the concerts, John in a rather rude manner walked to the address of a noisy company. After the performance, they were brutally beaten, and Stu got the most. He, already lying down, was kicked several times with a heavy boot on the head (according to another version, Stu was severely beaten by John Lennon). Arriving home and, despite the bleeding of a broken head, he did not allow his mother to call a doctor. Perhaps this played a fatal role in his short life.
During his first trip to Hamburg, Stu was introduced to Astrid Kirchherr, a young photography designer. They instantly felt an extraordinary sympathy for each other. Astrid changed the style of Stew's clothes and made him a completely new unusual hairstyle, which the rest of the Beatles really liked and became theirs. calling card on for a long time. The mutual affection of Stu and Astrid was so strong that Stu never returned from his second Hamburg trip to his homeland. After consulting with Astrid, he decided to leave the rest of the Beatles, which upset John very much and entered the Hamburg State Art College, where Astrid studied.
Stew died on April 10, 1962 from a cerebral hemorrhage, which was the result of an ill-fated Liverpool fight (and possibly a beating by John Lennon).
In an unkind twist of fate, the day after his death, The Beatles arrived in Germany, starting their third Hamburg tour. Throughout his life, John could not forgive himself for not attending Stew Sutcliffe's funeral.
Stuart Sutcliffe was born in the middle of June (23.06.40) in the town of Edinburgh, which is located in Scotland. His life was short (he died at the age of 21), but productive and eventful. Despite the fact that he died at a young age, Stewart managed to leave his mark on this world and left in the midst of creativity.
Childhood and adolescence
The Stewart family was small, but very close-knit. The father, who was an officer in the navy, was often away from home, and therefore, as a child, his son rarely saw him. But his life was brightened up by two sisters and his mother, a teacher at a school named Millie.
IN educational institution"Prescott" Stuart Sutcliffe went to Liverpool, and when he graduated, he entered the art college, which was located in the same city. By the way, it was in this educational institution that he met John Lennon, and this meeting became fateful for him.
Also in school years Stuart began to learn the art of painting and it should be noted that he was very good at it. It is worth noting that a good artist came out of him, but new friend persuaded him to try himself in the musical field as a bass player. So he became part of the legendary bands The The Beatles, originally called the Quarrymen.
The Beatles
To say that the guitarist came out of him as a genius is to say not quite the truth. Because the playing technique was not first-class, and the passion for painting prevented me from becoming a good musician. Tried to be in time everywhere Stuart Sutcliffe. The Beatles inspired him, but he could not live without a brush in his hands.
The composition of the group initially consisted of Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Sutcliffe, and a little later, a wonderful drummer and professional Best joined them, and already in in full force The Beatles changed their place of residence and moved to Hamburg, where they gave their work to people until the end of 1960.
Love
Already in the group, the British artist met a sweet girl named Astrid Kirchherr, who was seriously interested in photography and was simultaneously educated at Hamburg College. This meeting influenced Sutcliffe's decision to transfer from Liverpool College to the Hamburg educational institution of the same profile.
He did not hesitate for a long time, and already in the fall (November), at the age of 20, he proposed to his beloved, and in the same month their engagement took place. This remarkable event happened when Stuart Sutcliffe visited Hamburg for the first time as a rock musician. On his second visit (in 1961), he finally stays in this town, where he continues to do what he loves - painting.
During this same period, he also decides to leave the group and leaves the musical group. The Beatles start touring without him.
Painting
Student Helen Anderson, who studied with Stewart, recalled the young artist's work in the early period as aggressive, filled with dark gloomy shades.
But not all works were imbued with Gothic. Were among the paintings and unique early work, and a worthy place among them was occupied by the painting "Summer Painting", which was partially acquired by Mures. Interestingly, this work was not written on an ordinary canvas. It was depicted on school board, and in order to transport it to a new place, it was necessary to cut it into two equal parts. It is also reliably known that only part of the work (half of the painting) was included in the exhibition, and the second one was purchased by Mures.
In the summer of 1961, becoming a student at the prestigious Hamburg College, he got to the teacher Paolizzi. The teacher wrote flattering reviews about his talented student and even called him one of the most promising and gifted. Stuart Sutcliffe could become a famous and highly paid artist. Pictures of this young man were dynamic and mysterious.
Later works, usually untitled, were built in the spirit of Stael. The paintings were made using linear objects, and therefore it seemed that all the objects depicted in them had a closed
He often depicted people, in his collection there is even a portrait of his own mother. These paintings are more like sketches, but they look great. It is in such works real artist reveals the soul, these are imperfect lines, but they accurately convey the facial features of a loved one.
First exhibition and auction
Many connoisseurs of creativity young talent found a similarity of paintings made by Sutcliffe with the works of European masters of the United States of America, who were considered expressionists. But only one work was shown at an exhibition in the autumn of 1959 in Liverpool as part of the Moores show.
After the end of the show, the painting was bought for a very modest price, which amounted to the wages of a simple worker for 2 months.
Death of a gifted artist and rock musician
The lifestyle that the artist and musician led led him to a brain hemorrhage, from which he died on April 10, 1962.
The exact diagnosis and cause of death could not be established, but, according to some versions, it was suggested that head injuries were inflicted in a fight with hooligans, which led to death. And it happened after the performance of The Beatles during a tour of England. Few evidence speaks of an attack on the Beatles drunk company inveterate hooligans who were dissatisfied with the concert. Paul McCartney also suffered in this fight, but escaped with minor bruises, but Stewart was less fortunate, and he died from his brain injuries in the prime of life.
That's how tragically died Stuart Sutcliffe. The cause of death changed many times, but the fact was that the world would no longer see new paintings by this strange artist.
successes
The musician managed to play only three works that became rock legends. They were included on the album Anthology 1. On the cover of this musical hit, a photograph of Sutcliffe flaunts at the top right. This mention of his work can still be found on the covers of old music albums, which is very pleasing to many fans who are fond of celebrity biographies.
Stuart Sutcliffe lived short life, but forever remained in the memory of many people. He is remembered by fans of The Beatles, and seekers unusual paintings to your living room. He could become a nugget who managed to reveal the true creative potential. It is not known how his life would have been without that meeting with hooligans. You can guess about it endlessly, but it's better to just study his paintings, which are filled with fears, dark corners and incomprehensible silhouettes. He saw the world a little differently than people who are used to living and working in gray offices. The guy was part of the famous musical group and maybe that's why his work is still in price.
"The Fifth Beatle" Stuart Fergusson Victor Sutcliffe was born in Edinburgh on June 23, 1940. His father, Charles (Charles), was a sailor. His mother, Millie, is a teacher. And he had two younger sisters, Joyce and Pauline.
When the family moved to the Merseyside area and settled at 37 Aigburth Drive, Stewart went to high school Prescot (Prescot Grammar School), and later entered the Liverpool College of Art (Liverpool College of Art). He immediately showed a talent that impressed both teachers and other students. Some teachers thought he was the most outstanding artist who graduated from this college. He became friends with Bill Harry (Bill Harry), although he studied at a different course. Among his friends were also John Lennon and Rod Murray (Rod Murray). They spent a lot of time together, relaxing in the local Ye Cracke pub or in the student hostel.
Stewart and Bill talked about literature, art, films and mystical philosophy. These same conversations continued at Ye Cracke with John and Ron. The College of Art and the Liverpool Institute were housed in the same building. Paul McCartney and George Harrison went to college. At recess, they met at the cafeteria or rehearsed in the hostel. John saw that the band needed a bass player and offered Stewart or Ron a job if either of them bought a bass guitar. Stuart's painting was presented at the John Moore exhibition, and the millionaire Moore bought it himself. Stewart used the proceeds to buy a Hoffner President guitar. But he couldn't play it. Another college student, David May, offered to teach him how to play "C'mon Everybody" if he would let him measure the guitar so he could make one himself.
The group performed at Saturday dances and became known as the Art College Band. They didn't have the money to buy amplifiers. Stewart and Bill were members of the Students' Union Committee, which they used to raise funds to buy an amplifier that the band could use at college dances and other shows. Stewart joined John's band. Although they became close friends, John treated Stewart at times with cruel sarcasm, not taking his participation in the ensemble seriously. John put it this way: "We said that Stewart could sit next to us, or eat with us. We told him he had to leave, and he did." John and Paul made fun of Stewart on stage while he was in their band.
It was obvious that Stewart would never be as good a musician as he was a good artist. However, he brought style to the group. He had artistic taste which appeared in his appearance. Stewart did not contribute to the band's music. His only number was the lead vocal on Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender" ( Elvis Presley). Imeeno Stewart suggested calling the band the Beetles. And John replaced one of the "e" with "a". It was said that Stewart came up with such a name by analogy with the group Crickets (Crickets) singing along with Buddy Holly (Buddy Holly).
The group went to Germany. But Stewart's participation was coming to an end. Paul wanted him to leave the band. Then he himself would take the bass guitar. This confrontation led to a real brawl on the Top Ten Club stage, which left the audience enthralled as they thought it was part of the show. Astrid Kirchherr, a Hamburg student, fell in love with Stuart. In December 1960, the Beatles returned to Liverpool, while Stewart remained in Hamburg. Paul started playing bass guitar. Stewart took up art again.
Around this time, his mother, Millie Sutcliffe, began telling friends that she was worried about her son's health. He developed terrible headaches and fainting after an unfortunate fall down the stairs in Astrid's house. For Christmas in 1961, he came to Liverpool with Astrid. Friends noticed how sickly he looked.
The steward announced that he intended to marry Astrid in June 1962, when he graduated from college. While attending classes, he continued to suffer from headaches. In February 1962 he underwent a medical examination. He even had temporary blindness, but the doctors did not find any abnormalities, so he was simply prescribed painkillers. On April 10, 1962, Astrid found Stuart unconscious and called an ambulance. On the way to the hospital, Stuart died in her arms. He was 21, she was 23. Astrid sent two telegrams to his mother. The first is "My Stuart is dying." The second is "My Stuart is dead." The second came before the first. The father learned of his son's death only three weeks later, because he was on a voyage to South America.
The official cause of death was given as "cerebral palsy as a result of hemorrhage in right hemisphere brain". Astrid met with the Beatles the next day to tell them the terrible news. John burst into hysterical laughter. "It was his way of avoiding the perception of the truth," Astrid said about it. Millie buried her son in Liverpool. She arranged an exhibition of his work in 1964. Interest in him faded, there were not many visitors.25 years after his death, interest resumed, prices for his works rose at auctions.
The Beatles chose Stewart as one of the figures on the cover of Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album.
British artist, also known as former bass player group The Beatles (performed in it in 1959-1961).
Stewart's father was Charles Sutcliffe, a naval officer who often went to sea when Stewart was young. His mother, Millie, was a school teacher. Sutcliffe had two sisters: Pauline and Joyce. Steward was born at the Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion Hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland. He grew up at 37 Aigburt Drive in Liverpool and attended Prescott School.
Sutcliffe was fond of painting since childhood and entered the Liverpool Art College, where he met John Lennon.
The Beatles
Sutcliff was talented artist, but Lennon persuaded him to buy a bass guitar so that he could play in his Quarrymen, a few months later renamed The Beatles. Sutcliff used to play acoustic guitar, but his bass playing technique was rather low, and he continued to paint at the same time. A little later, permanent drummer Pete Best joined Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Sutcliffe, and in this the Beatles moved to Hamburg, where they performed until the end of 1960. At the same time, Sutcliffe met Astrid Kirchherr, a student at the Hamburg Art College, who studied photography. Kirchherr and Sutcliffe fell in love with each other, already in November 1960, their engagement took place. After a second visit to Hamburg in 1961 and a recording session with local singer Tony Sheridan (the Beatles were the backing band), Sutcliffe remained in Hamburg with Astrid, where he continued painting.
Death
On April 10, 1962, Stuart Sutcliffe died of a cerebral hemorrhage. Previously, he suffered from severe pain in my head. The exact cause of the pain is unknown. According to one version, the cause of death was injuries received during a fight with hooligans during a tour of England in early 1961, when, during a tour of Literland in a tavern, while singing songs, a group of drunken visitors armed with beer bottles and bar counters, dissatisfied with the performance of the Beatles, attacked them. Everyone except McCartney was hurt, but Sutcliffe, who received a head injury, was the hardest of all.
Painting
Helen Anderson (student) recalled that Stewart's early work was very aggressive, using dark colors. One of his paintings was shown at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool as part of the John Moores Exhibition between November 1959 and January 1960. After the exhibition, Moores bought Sutcliffe's canvas for a price of £65, which was equal to 6-7 weeks of work for the average working person.
After meeting Astrid, Sutcliffe decided to leave The Beatles, and entered the Hamburg College of Art in June 1961 under the tutelage of Paolizzi, who later wrote a report that Sutcliffe was one of his "best students". Sutcliffe's few surviving works show influences from British and European artists, similar to the contemporary Expressionists of the United States. His early work is figuratively reminiscent of a school shell by John Bratby in particular, although Sutcliffe was producing abstract works by the late 1950s, including Summer Painting, which Moores acquired. Rod Murray recalled that the painting was painted on board, not canvas, and had to be cut in two (because of its size). Murray added that only one of the pieces actually made it to the show (because they stopped at a pub to celebrate), but he sold the other piece. Moores bought it for his son...
The Sutcliffe works bear a certain juxtaposition with the work of John Hoyliland and Nicolas de Stael, although they were more lyrical. His later works, as a rule, without a name, built from a large incomplete slab of pigment in the spirit of de Stael, and overused linear elements, thereby creating the effect enclosed spaces. Hamburg Workshop No. 2 was purchased from the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool and is one workshop in the Hamburg series in which surface and color change the production atmosphere. European artists(including Paolozzi) were interested in Sutcliffe. Art Gallery Walker was replenished with other works of Sutcliffe, among which: "Self-portrait" (on coal) and "Crucifixion".
Anthology
The Beatles created the Anthology 1 album, consisting primarily of the band's previously unreleased recordings in early period, a compilation was released in 1995. Sutcliffe's photo on the cover of the Anthology was located in the upper right corner. The steward can be found on the cover of the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, released 28 years before the release of the Anthology.
He played three songs with the Beatles that the band recorded in 1960: "Hallelujah, I Love Her So", "You'll Be Mine" and "Cayenne".
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 visual arts 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 interviewed Louise Harrison, George's sister, she said "It's in a 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 they've had at the university in 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's been long, long nights, sunshine. 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.
