The tragic life story of Stuart Sutcliffe, “the fifth Beatle. Legacy of a short life

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 - You say you're selling original paintings 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 was for 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 at 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 put 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.

Stuart Fergusson Victor Sutcliffe(English) Stuart Fergusson Victor Sutcliffe; June 23, 1940, Edinburgh, Scotland - April 10, 1962, Hamburg, Germany) - British artist, also known as former bass player groups The Beatles(acted in it in 1960-1961).

Biography

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. Stewart 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

Sutcliffe was a talented artist, but Lennon persuaded him to buy a bass guitar so that he could play in his band. The Quarrymen, renamed The Beatles a few months later. 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 a student at the Hamburg Art College Astrid Kirchherr 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 recording with a local singer Tony Sheridan(The Beatles acted as backing band) Sutcliff stayed in Hamburg with Astrid, where he continued painting.

Death

On April 10, 1962, Stuart Sutcliffe died of a cerebral hemorrhage. Earlier, he suffered from severe headaches. 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.

In 1994, the film "The Beatles: 4 + 1 (The Fifth of the Quartet)" was filmed, which describes Sutcliffe's activities with The Beatles and his tragic death.

Painting

Helen Anderson (student) recalled that early work Stewart were 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 £65 (with which he bought the bass guitar).

After meeting Astrid Kirchherr, Sutcliffe decided to leave The Beatles, and in June 1961 he entered the Hamburg College of Art. There he was under the tutelage of Eduardo Paolozzi, who later wrote that Sutcliffe was one of his "best students". Sutcliffe's few surviving writings reveal British and European artists, similar to the work of the modern expressionists of the United States.

Sutcliffe's work bears a certain resemblance to the work of John Howleyland and Nicolas de Stael, although it is more lyrical. His later works, usually untitled, created in the spirit of de Stael, overloaded with linear elements, creating an effect enclosed spaces. "Hamburg Workshop No. 2" was acquired by the Liverpool art gallery i Walker. The Walker Art Gallery has other works by Sutcliffe, including "Self-portrait" (charcoal) and "Crucifixion".

Anthology

In 1995, the Anthology 1 compilation was released, consisting mainly of previously unreleased recordings of The Beatles in early period. The photo of Sutcliffe on the cover of the Anthology was located in the upper right corner. Stewart can also be found on the cover of the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, released 28 years before The Anthology.

Sutcliffe played three songs with the Beatles that the band recorded in 1960: "Hallelujah, I Love Her So", "You'll Be Mine" and "Cayenne".

Literature

• The BEATLES: An Illustrated Guide / V. Yastrebov, Yu. Gerasimova, N. Mironova. - Ulyanovsk: RIA Simbvestinfo, 1999. - 936 p.: ill. - (Reference books from Simbvestinfo) - ISBN 5-86174-011-9.

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1940, Stuart Fergusson Victor Sutcliffe grew up in Liverpool, England.

WITH early age he showed his extraordinary artistic talent. Earning money as a scavenger, Stewart entered the Liverpool College of Art. In his class, he was considered one of the best artists working mainly in abstract style expressionism.

1. 1961 Stuart Sutcliffe poses for a portrait in Liverpool, England.

It was in college that he met a classmate of John Lennon who became his neighbor. After Sutcliffe sold one of his paintings for a hefty £65 at the time, John convinced him to buy a bass guitar - despite the fact that the guy could barely play - and join Lennon's band, created by him with friends Paul McCartney and George Harrison.

2. 1960 An early version of The Beatles photographed by John Lennon: manager Allan Williams, his wife Beryl, business partner Lord Woodbine, Stuart Sutcliffe, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best.

The band's name has already changed many times. After joining, Sutcliffe and Lennon proposed the name Beetles ("Beetles"), by analogy with the group Crickets ("Crickets") on the backing tracks of Buddy Holly (Buddy Holly). Within a few months, the name evolved first into the Silver Beetles, then the Silver Beatles, and finally the Beatles.

3. 1960 The Silver Beatles - Stuart Sutcliffe, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, drummer Johnny Hutch and George Harrison - perform in Liverpool.

“He was not really a very good musician. He wasn't really a musician at all until we talked to him about buying a bass guitar. He picked up a few things and he did a bit of work. It was a little silly, but it didn't matter at the time because he looked so great." (George Harrison)

4. 1961 Sutcliffe plays bass with The Beatles at the Top Ten Club in Hamburg.

Together with a hastily selected drummer, Pete Best, Sutcliffe and The Beatles traveled to Hamburg to perform in clubs and gain experience.

7. Sutcliffe on stage with The Beatles at a club in Hamburg.

9. 1960 Sutcliffe performs with The Beatles at the Top Ten Club in Hamburg.

There, Sutcliffe fell in love with photographer Astrid Kirchherr, who became his fiancee two months later. It was she who came up with his haircut, which was later adopted by the rest of the group.

10. 1961 Astrid Kirchherr and Stuart Sutcliffe pose together in Hamburg.

11. 1961

However, relations within the group heated up. Paul McCartney wanted the guy to leave the band, because then he himself would become a bass player. Once the conflict even turned into a real fight on the stage of the Top Ten Club.

12. Sutcliffe plays bass behind John Lennon and George Harrison at the Top Ten Club in Hamburg.

13. 1961 John Lennon sings and plays guitar with Stuart Sutcliffe and George Harrison at the Top Ten Club in Hamburg.

In 1961, Sutcliffe left The Beatles to focus on painting and living with Astrid. He won a postgraduate scholarship at the Hamburg College of Art, dreaming of studying with the sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi.

14. 1961 Sutcliff plays behind George Harrison.

However, his career was cut short when on April 10, 1962, at the age of 21, after a series of severe headaches, he died of a cerebral hemorrhage.

15. 1961

Sutcliffe's face can still be seen on the far left side of the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Johnny, Stuart, Astrid and... death.

"Don't let me down"
The Beatles song.

He never even thought of wanting to be a musician. Born in 1940 in rather provincial Edinburgh, Stuart was fascinated by drawing since childhood. He was a deep introvert and contemplative, and when he entered the Liverpool College of Art, he focused solely on comprehending true craftsmanship.
But the neighbor of the semi-Scottish guy Stuart Sutcliffe turned out to be a local buzil and music lover, Johnny the Daredevil. somehow miraculously they became friends. Both spoke rather strange English. First view territorial features country "Whisky", and the second - due to a kind of Merseyside "cockney". By the way, a couple of years later, when the guys from The Beatles became famous and gave numerous interviews to metropolitan journalists, the latter could not understand almost a third of the words spoken by the Liverpool people ....
Lennon called his quiet friend Stu on all sorts of adventures, and every Saturday night he dragged him to the city. Sometimes skiffle stars Lonnie Donegan or Cliff Richard himself would visit Liverpool. Listening to them, Johnny himself caught fire with the dream of becoming a musician. True, at that time he had a 4-string guitar (not a bass) lying around at his house, and before meeting with Paul, as they say, he was sure that this was their complete guitar set.
In life frequent role chance plays. In the 60th year, one of Sutcliffe's paintings was bought for as much as 65 British pounds. While the guy was thinking about where to spend this treasure, the restless John persuaded the "back" in a couple of days to buy a bass guitar and join their band "The Quarrymen". Breaking down, Stuart gave in to his endless pressure and picked up the bass. He did not know how to play and only prevented James Paul McCartney from doing his job.
After a short rehearsal and hastily catching the handsome gouging Pete Best as a drummer, the guys went to Hamburg. There, in local taverns and dance floors, Merseysiders, having put on iron chains and seats from German toilet bowls (do not drag English ones with them), began to play their skiffle. Times were busy, and the band could "slack" on stage for up to 5 hours without a break. By the end of the evening, Paul and John were simply wheezing, and their unfortunate fingers had difficulty holding picks slippery with sweat. Only the indifferent Stu stood in thick cigarette smoke behind the backs of the guys tearing their throats, only occasionally singing softly into the microphone, and for the sake of catching guitar strings. According to the real living music, the conceited Paul was terribly annoyed by all this. A couple of times during the performance, he tried to pounce on Stewart, but the stern and pugnacious Johnny quickly cooled this creative impulse of the skinny and pampered McCartney ...
In August 1960, Stewart met photographer Astrid Kirchherr. “I always thought that only your Paul is from Scotland, but it turned out to be you,” said this rather pretty for a German fraulein, hugging her beloved Sutcliffe in September. All wonderful autumn days they walked around Hamburg, kissing at every crossroads. It was Astrid who came up with the hairstyle for Stewart, which was soon used by all the guys from The Beatles. By Christmas, the group rushed to their native Liverpool, and the enamored Sutcliffe remained in Germany.
A month later, returning to his homeland, Stewart was visited by John. “Listen, old chap, we are planning a small trip to the town of Litherland, near Liverpool in Lancashire, come with us,” he said from the doorway. The guy in love had other plans. He wanted to calmly draw, and then go to Hamburg to propose to Astrid .... But Johnny was extraordinarily persistent and gentle Stu, unfortunately, agreed. And now the Beatles are already performing their songs in some tavern of 20,000 shabby Literland. In the second part, when the local "dolbochis" got pretty drunk, bottles flew onto the stage, and the drunken "brothers" began to shout all sorts of he ... nu about the group's repertoire. To which John Lennon, who did not grow up in a school for Christian orphans, sent all these guys to ... a certain address. When the thugs ran up to the stage, demanding an explanation, Johnny, without any doubt, rushed at them ... His "double Merseyside" was known to quite a few Liverpool fighters ... As a result, Lennon was put under his eyes a pair of "lanterns"; lucky Paul was out of business at all, and Pete and George had their noses bled. But the poor fellow Stuart was unlucky, it was him who managed to break a couple of beer bottles on his head ... John, pleased with the fight, did not pay much attention to the broken top of his friend. You never know what happens in these fights dear to his heart ...
After recovering, Stu told Lennon that he was leaving the group and leaving for Hamburg. There he entered art school, and she and Astrid soon gathered to get married .... After the teachers said that they had not had the best student for many years ...
Meanwhile, the Beatles came to Hamburg for the second time. Now the halls were bigger, and the guys began to play in them for no more than 3 hours in a row. Considering that the real concerts of this group in 1965 continued exactly academic hour(45 minutes), the second German tour was also very serious test… Stuart naturally met up with friends and invited them to his wedding to Astrid. He also complained to John about incessant headaches, but the reckless Lennon only laughed in response. Soon the guys got ready to return to Liverpool and in a friendly way said goodbye to their collaborator friend ....
In love with Stu, Astrid Kirchherr was very worried about the condition of her fiancé. She insisted that Sutcliffe be treated at a local hospital. The girl tried to visit her beloved every day….. But the 21-year-old artist was increasingly in pain, until on April 10, 1962, he died of a cerebral hemorrhage….
Many years later, his mother began an investigation against John, even if he was killed in the 80s, but this did not lead to anything. They also interviewed old James. But he, citing forgetfulness, did not say anything new. He, a billionaire, did not want to stir up the past. Drummer Ringo Starr was not in the band then. And the handsome Pete Best, fired on August 16, 1962, flatly refused to talk about this topic .... Then everything, as always, was blamed on chance ... ..
. Some consider Stewart a talented avant-garde artist…. His canvases can be viewed on the Internet ... Perhaps he would become a significant figure in the art world…. But we already…..