I knew Stuart well. We lived 100 yards apart and often travelled together on the bus to and from Prescot GS. He was a beautiful boy - talented, charismatic and mature : he treated me as an equal tho i was 3 years younger. I had 2 copies of a school magazine containing an original poem by Stuart. Sold at auction a few years ago.
@legsylevin9591 I help to run the official Stuart Sutcliffe Fan Club and would be interested in finding out more, if you would be interested? If so, drop me a line at dbedford@hotmail.co.uk? Thanks again for sharing. David
So sad, nicely told story and very fitting, it's good to hear how Pete and John jumped to his defence at Laytham. Those wonderful stills with Astrid, Stu and John are so iconic, great video David, thanks.
Thank you! It’s beautiful tribute and Stu and Astrid had a huge impact on the Beatles as both of these young sweethearts influenced the Beatles in no small part with stu’s art work, poetry and Astrids photography and hair styles . Blessings to his family and friends who created the bench . Love is eternal always !
I own one of Stuart’s sketches from one of his art school notebooks. I’ve always been a fan of his. He was the James Dean of the Beatles and a brilliant artist. Was never really a musician but being such a close friend of John’s, John wanted him in the band.
Thank you for the fabulous tribute to the late Stuart Sutcliffe. I just makes me wonder where he would be right now, and how much more he would have accomplished in his life, if he were still with us. But of course, you can never turn back the clock. Rest in peace Stuart Sutcliffe, John Lennon, George Harrison, Astrid, George Martin, Neil Aspinall, and all other members of the Beatle family who have passed away, and whom I might have forgotten. Great video.
Thanks Scott, Stuart had so much potential and would surely have become a world-renowned artist. What a huge influence he was and a great guy. Glad you enjoyed it. David
Another great Video David. Such a sad end for a young and very talented man. The Beatles, especially John lost a close friend and the world lost the chance to appreciate Stuarts real talent. Who knows what he would have gone on to produce, but i do believe he would have been in the forefront of the art world and the whole sixties decade much like his mates.
Paul has talked about him, mainly regretting being mean to him and being jealous of his relationship with John. Yoko said that hardly a day went by without John mentioning Stuart. I've always been annoyed when people slate Stuart for his musicianship. But his art, the quality and the quantity, is fantastic and so glad we have that.
David, thank you so much for posting this story. I'm a huge Beatles fan and this just answered a few more quesitons about Stu Sutcliffe and the Beatles early days.
Stu was the Beatles' engineer! He already inspired John for future music. He is said to have told him that he himself had the oil and the colors, John had the melodies and the music. He also advised John to bring things from life into his songs, as was seen in the later albums! I think I can say that Stu was the noblest Beatle, he was out of this world. He and Astrid have been “married” since May 12, 2020, they were not allowed to be so in their lives. May they be together in heaven, inseparable forever! PS: Towards the end of the video you can see the people close to him gathered, I assume the young man behind the bench is a great-nephew, he certainly looks quite similar to Stu. 🎸🎨🖌✒🕯
Thank you for more insight into the makings of the greatest band of all time. Such a tragedy! Of course I wonder "what if...'. But now my wonder has bright conclusion. Thank you again for your wonderful work!
I remember about 20-25 years ago Stuart's backlog of artwork went up for auction in Liverpool. They were very good (Expressionist) and very relatively cheap too, considering their associated heritage. I seriously thought about buying a few pieces, wish I did now. He was a talented artist. Great video again. 👍
+Steg_of_ Neth. He was a great artist and the Sutcliffe Estate still owns so many of his original paintings and drawings. Glad you enjoyed the video too, thank you.
Beyond sad. Thanks for posting; images reveal his cool style, revered by Johnny Marr. Best looking man around, and I guess a sensitive soul. May he be at peace.
A beautifully measured, poignant dedication to a talented, young lad who died way beyond his time. His artistic presence and influential upon the The Beatles but especially John more than left its indelible mark. R.I.P Stuart Sutcliffe!! 🙏❤️.x
Thank you David. Today is the 60th anniversary of Stuart's passing. I'm currently reading the glorious 'Tune In', by Mark Lewisohn, and just read the part where Stuart's tragic passing is described so devastatingly. Poor Millie. Poor Astrid. Poor John. We lost an outstanding artist just as he was getting started. Your piece is very moving, and it is a privilege to be able to see Stuart's resting place. Here's a little scouse saying mentioned in Tune In: "Huyton - two dogs fightin, one is black, the other's a white 'un."
+mustafa1name It was such a tragedy and seeing Astrid describing it on film is heartbreaking. Living close to Huyton, where my daughter lives and my wife and 2 daughters work, we've never heard that phrase! 😞 A better one is: "you can take the lad out of Liverpool, but you can't take Liverpool out of the lad!"
It's nice to get the straight scoop on the story of Stu's tragic passing. And while appears it was unrelated, I enjoyed getting some details on the beating he'd taken from a few droogs some months earlier, and the rescue he received from his mates Pete and John.
@@BrightmoonLiverpool You bet, but it is we who should thank you for these marvelous videos. :) Hey, whilst I have ya here, David, tell me...what regional accent do you have? Forgive my ignorance on the matter, but as a Yank who's only been to England a few times, I struggle a bit identifying anything other than the stereotypical Posh and Cockney accents. Are you a Liverpudlian? A Londoner? What accent do you have?
@@BrightmoonLiverpool Interesting. Not surprising then that I was struggling a bit to identify it. Say, this reminds me. I've heard some commenters says that among the original Beatles that Pete had the strongest Scouse accent. Is that true? And how would you rank the accents of John, Paul, George, Pete and Ringo in terms of how strongly Scouse they were. I've never heard Stu speak, but if you have, go ahead and include his Scouse accent in your rankings, as well. Thanks!
This is a lovely video about a beautiful person who died so young. Thank you, Stu for all your contributions to the Beatles and music. Thank you, too, Astrid who is renewing her love with Stu in the Afterlife!
Stuart had far more influence on the direction of the Beatles than people realize. John adored him and Stuart had a great deal of input on how the band presented itself, which led to their huge success. Assumptions have led people believe that he played with his back to the audience because he was insecure in his playing, which is not accurate. He was an artist, and it was a statement of being aloof, much in the vein of James Dean, the whole Rebel Without A Cause thing. A tragic end to a life with spectacular potential, and a loss for all of us who love art.
Thank you, I agree. He doesn't deserve to be treated in the way he does by some people. He became a good bass player and had a huge influence on the Beatles, especially John. Thank you. David
Thank you very much for this video. It humanizes and makes real the background of the individuals who formed The Beatles including Pete Best and his athleticism and fighting arts background to help save Stuart from a horrible incident. Stuarts influence and effect on The Beatles I think lay in his art background which they expounded upon as they matured . Very sad dying so young and before seeing all the success The Beatles would come to have and that he was a part of it.
Thank you. Stuart and Pete are often overlooked for their part in the story, but they are integral to the true story. Stuart's death was so tragic but what a legacy of art he has left us.
A very proper, honorable tribute and revisit to the truly quite, pre-fame Beatle of whom not much was known as founder and contributor. It seems that Stewart's death must have surely served as galvanizing fire of purpose for the boys to push on and succeed. So they did...and so Stewart Sutcliffe is long to be remembered.
I read in a book that John Lennon's Aunt Mimi said Stuart was the best friend John ever had. I believe it to be true. John and Stuart were on the same wavelength. They understood and loved each other in a way only friends can.
@@Lightner445555555555 Because John loved Stu and looked up to Stu, in ways he did not feel about Paul. Paul has admitted that he was jealous of Stu because prior to Stu joining the band, John and Paul had been best mates, with George as the younger third wheel. But with Stu around, it was John and Stu who were inseparable bosom mates, leaving Paul on the outside, and only with George to pal around with. Paul only became more annoyed when Pete joined The Beatles because Pete instantly became the heartthrob of the band. Paul was--and is to this day--a very jealous person.
@@Cosmo-Kramer You don't think it had anything to do with age, do you? Because Ringo was the oldest and he got along with George and Paul extremely well🙂.
The story I’ve heard all these years is that LENNON had gotten jumped in front of a club, was outnumbered and getting beat up pretty bad, where STUART jumped in to save John, and himself had gotten beaten. John, who was, as we know, Stuart’s great friend from art school, etc., and when Stuart died, John went catatonic with grief because he felt that Stu had saved John himself by simply being another body in the fight to help John out. I’ve heard this as being the real story for at least 40 years now, fwiw.
+Bruce Stewart Hi Bruce, it was the other way round. Stu got jumped and Pete and John went to rescue him. John fractured a finger too. I've had this from Pete Best and others like Bill Harry, a friend of John and Stuart. It is hard trying to get to the facts as there are often several versions out there. David
Great video 👍. Sad that such a talented man died so young. His memory will carry a very special moment in that all can include him as having been a part of a world famous band✌️
I have a single written by John Lennon in tribute to Stuart. It,s an instrumental called "Cry for a shadow", on the Polydor label. Flip side "Aint she sweet"
@@diamonddog7613 From what I understand, Cry was written by both Harrison & Lennon as a tribute to the band The Shadows. I never heard of it having anything to do with Stu.
When he heard that one of his best friends had died suddenly, the grief-stricken star "laughed hysterically". Then he fell to his knees and broke down into tears. He was reportedly inconsolable for some time. His sorry was apparently so great that he couldn't even bring himself to attend the funeral.
John insisted that Astrid photograph him exactly where Stuart stood for a photo. John and his fellow Beatles couldn't attend the funeral in Liverpool because they were just opening the new Star Club in Hamburg.
+Catherine Crow Thank you so much Catherine, so glad you enjoyed the video. We have lots of content for you to enjoy and plenty more to come too. David
I only live around the corner. I was there a few days ago. RIP Stu, RIP George, John and Cyn reunited RIP. Ps, Stuart was a choir boy too at St Gabriel's Church in Huyton.
It is a beautiful grave and the bench is fabulous too. Stuart was head chorister at one point I believe at St Gabriel's. Glad there are visitors. I'm going there on Friday.
I wonder how things would have turned out for him if he had lived into old age ? He would have been very very big in the art world and been such a fascinating bastion of beatles information . He certainly would have been the man who had it all . BUT alas it was not to be and was fated to become a side note in the beatles legacy which is very sad . He must have been a wonderful person to be around even at such a young age . The world was robbed of someone so special
John looked up to Stu so much. He was an intellectual, a romantic, a philosopher and poet, and a great artist. He was also a decent musician too. From those I know who knew Stu, I am sure we lost a great young man.
When I was young, there was very little information about Stuart Sutcliffe, which only fuelled my obsession with the ''Fifth Beatle''. Any discussion or information or speculation is welcome to me. I like the aura of mystery that surrounds Stu. Peter Brown wrote in his book ''The love you make'' that Stuart's mother donated her son's body for scientific research and pathologists found a small tumour caused by a skull fracture, most likely from being kicked by one of the Litherland gang members, in the summer of 1959. Good video, David. Thanks.
+Adolphe LeBon Glad you enjoyed the video. You can find out more at the official Stuart Sutcliffe Fan Club which I help to run. www.stuartsutcliffefanclub.com
this is what i have noticed too 😳 pulling the yoni hand sign .. Stu has an alliterated name SS .. we don’t see any of the other Beatles pulling Masonic hand signs until 1967 when John and Paul were replaced .. quite a mystery.
God sweet bless you stuart, yoir with your band mate jojn & george now, Im upset now but you were so talented in many ways as an artist, guitarist & brother to yoir family, I too had heavy knocks to my head when I had a head injury, fallen on the lower deck of a bus, & suffered bleeding to my brain & had slight dementia, Anyway stuart God Bless you.
I’m not a medical professional, but I doubt we can positively dismiss Stuart’s beating as the start of something that led to his death. I’d like to hear a neurologist, etc, point of view.
I consulted with a neurosurgeon when researching for my book, Liddypool, and he was able to rule out the injury he suffered in January 1961. The main reason, apart from the fact that Stuart had x-rays which showed no injuries, the length of time between that, the beginning of the symptoms and then his death was too far apart. His conclusion was an aneurism.
I've always felt it was from the head injuries. Could have damaged a vessel wall - scar tissue perhaps, a lot more rigid than a soft healthy blood vessel that'll break rather than expand and contract. Or, a thinned weakened vessel like the pipes in a house damaged from prior freezing or corrosion then one day gives out. Despite all the fame and happiness, plenty of tragedy surrounding the Beatles lives. They have really inspired us that life can still be good.
And Colin Unwin a massive Beatle fan who was custodian of Mendips who had Stuarts headstone repaired , because it was leaning over , i think he deserves a mention too. He also painted Strawberry Field gates. It's a great video Stu should be remembered.
+Ann Duncan Glad you enjoyed the video. As you can see, the headstone has been changed to add the names of Stuart's sister Pauline who died not long ago and their mother too.
Where have you got that from? No knowledge or evidence that his dad ever hit Stuart like that. Plus, to be injury-related, death would have occurred soon after, which wasn't the case for Stuart and his father anyway, with his dad away at sea.
It's an interesting sidebar, but there's no indication that Sutcliffe was musically inclined at all. He more or less put on an act to please his art college friend John Lennon.
There is plenty of evidence from people I have interviewed who knew him. Stu loved the music, picked up playing bass and adapted very well to it. He enjoyed being on stage, but after not painting for so long, decided he missed that more, and gave up the music.
@@BrightmoonLiverpool I have to rely on the earliest source material, the Beatles biography by Hunter Davies. According to him, Lennon talked Sutcliffe into buying a bass guitar with the 75 pounds (1,800 in today's money) he'd earned from selling a painting. He habitually kept his back to the German audiences so no one could see how little he knew about playing it, and jumped the Beatles ship as early as he decently could.
@DMBall I have huge respect for Hunter - I co-authored a book with him too - but he didn't have access to the people I have been able to interview over the years. He was relying on the recollections of the Fab Four. Apart from Stuart's sister Pauline, who I got to know well, I spoke to, and found interviews with, people who played with him. Rod Murray his flatmate spoke at length about John and Stu's love of the same music. Pete Best who played with him in Hamburg. Howie Casey who also played with him in Hamburg, as well as members of German group The Bats who Stuart played with. On top of them, Klaus Voormann, great friend of the Beatles who was inspired to play bass because of Stuart. John and Paul had to convince him, because he had sold a painting for £65 and was planning on spending it on art supplies, but was convinced to put a deposit down on a bass and join them. At the very beginning, while learning the bass, he stood side on so he could be guided by John or Paul as to what note to play. However, he evolved with his fellow Beatles in Hamburg and became a very good rock n roll bass player. Hope that helps - there have been so many myths over the years that get perpetuated, and I enjoy testing them and finding the truth. David Bedford
Stu & Astrid were the first ones to wear the "BEATLE" hair cuts. John had really wanted Stu on their first record, the Tony Sheridan one but he was sure that his playing days were over and refused. Too bad, I am sure just as John and the others had improved he had too.
Thanks for your comments, yes Astrid and Stu were responsible for so much of the Beatles style back then. Stu quit just before the record as he had enrolled in the Hamburg Art School and was going to do that full time. But Stu was a good bass player for sure.
Anyone remember Goldmine advertising an auction of Stu's postcards detaling his hospital visits especially the funny one where he put the gown on backwards and the nurse coming back to find him sitting pretty nude? I'm not sure who he was writing to. I wish i bought THOSE! How did Astrid get Stu's body to England? who paid cuz it was probably expensive even back then. Too bad MRI's didn't exist-where are those "x-rays" now?
Stu cannot be the fifth Beatle. He was of the original four. Technically Ringo is the fifth coming in to replace Pete and OG Paul MCCA moved over to play the bass.
+Fred Hill It is a great debate. I agree that, chronologically, Stu should be the Fourth Beatle, making Pete Best the Fifth Beatle. However, I think what many people mean is the "Fifth Fab Four" over an above John Paul, George and Ringo.
@@BrightmoonLiverpool again technically Stu should be third Beatle. John,Paul,Stu, Pete. George was brought in by Paul that makes George fifth Beatle. They played and lived in Hamburg as five piece at one time before Stu’s death. Once Brian got a hold of them and they were brought to work with George Martin they axed Pete Best and gave the seat to Ringo. That’s makes Ringo sixth Beatle. The real argument is with William Shepherd! I would say Billy is the sixth Beatle and Ringo the seventh lol. You see the Beatles as a whole are a seven headed demon. Lol
If John an Stuart had gotten in a fight I doubt John would have kicked him in the head? When fighting a friend your not out to really injure them. I don't think John would have done that.
+Junior Johnson A founder member of the Beatles in 1960, the original bass player who also suggested the name Beatles. Was John's best friend from Art College. We will be doing a biog of him soon, so make sure you've subscribed and don't miss it. He was such an important part of the Beatles early history.
So, Paul dies and his imposter sits down and writes Penny Lane, Fool on the Hill, Hello Good Bye, Sgt. Pepper Hearts Club Band, It's Getting Better All the Time, Fixing a Hole,She's Leaving Home, Lovely Rita Meter maid, Your Mother Should Know, and HEY Jude ALL inside of 24 months of joining the band??? YOU ARE NUTS and probably believe in QANON and voted for Donald Trump, twice!
@@50milliondownthedraintonym16 I was wondering if anyone would be interested in this. I see it more as a bit of fun with some great stories with it. Might revisit it.
@@BrightmoonLiverpool I got mixed up..lot of Ted's then..love your stuff cos you see it parallel like me..exact spots.. Beatles were a supernatural force
The person widely known as 'the fifth Beatle' was George Martin. Sutcliffe had absolutely nothing to do with the success of the Beatles. Sutcliffe left the band to pursue a career in art, having previously attended the Liverpool College of Art, as had John Lennon.
Foolish comment. Stu was a Beatle when there were 5 of them. He was 4th to join (May 1960) and Pete Best was 5th (Aug). "The success of" them? Who said anything about the success of them? George Martin came years later. So Ringo was 6th and George Martin would be 7th except he was never a Beatle.
+erepsekahs The first person to be called the Fifth Beatle was Jimmie Nicol in 1964 when he replaced Ringo for 2 weeks. We will delve more into this topic for sure soon. Stu was a founder member of the group who was part of the Beatles that conquered Hamburg and Liverpool, along with Pete Best. Without them, they would not have come to Epstein's attention, got a record deal and then added Ringo. So Stuary is a vital piece of the Beatles story.
+Dum Dum Stuart wasn't kicked out. He decided to leave so that he could devote his time to his art, signing up to study in Hamburg. Paul then took over on bass.
@@BrightmoonLiverpool He is a piece of the Beatles story. If it had not been for Paul's mother he would not have existed...so she is a vital piece of the Beatles story. If it had not been for Astrid Kirchherr Stuart Sutcliffe would not have stayed in Germany. If it had not been for .....shall I go on? Just for your information there was a stage play about the Beatles called, 'John, Paul, George, Ringo and Bert' many years ago, in 1974 I believe. It was written by Willy Russell,, the same man who wrote 'Educating Rita.' which I pray you have seen. if not God will punish you. as it is sure to be the very first question you are asked at The Pearly Gates, "Have you seen Educating Rita." Anyway in my considered opinion, and that of hundreds of millions of others, including Her Majesty The Queen, the only fifth Beatle that matters if their musical educator, Producer, mixer, technical Wizard, Master of Patience, who played on one heck of a lot of Beatles recordings and created the 'whirling organ' in For The Benefit of Mr. Kite' Sir George Martin.
@@BrightmoonLiverpool My Bureaus Adress is Reeperbahn No.1. Being a Beatles fan since childhood, I even know Astrid`s former home Eimsbuttler Str. 45a, where the Beatles took their first real bath in Hamburg and Stuart later had his atelier in the attic. Still have to visit Liverpool. Keep up the great work with this channel!
I knew Stuart well. We lived 100 yards apart and often travelled together on the bus to and from Prescot GS. He was a beautiful boy - talented, charismatic and mature : he treated me as an equal tho i was 3 years younger. I had 2 copies of a school magazine containing an original poem by Stuart. Sold at auction a few years ago.
Thanks for sharing that with us. Did you know he was a good artist back then?
Indeed. He was the school star and the apple of the eye of Willie Walters, art teacher.
@legsylevin9591 I help to run the official Stuart Sutcliffe Fan Club and would be interested in finding out more, if you would be interested? If so, drop me a line at dbedford@hotmail.co.uk? Thanks again for sharing. David
So sad, nicely told story and very fitting, it's good to hear how Pete and John jumped to his defence at Laytham. Those wonderful stills with Astrid, Stu and John are so iconic, great video David, thanks.
Thank you Ralph
So sad to hear of Syds passing. Thank you for creating and sharing this most meaningful video, David.
Thank you! It’s beautiful tribute and Stu and Astrid had a huge impact on the Beatles as both of these young sweethearts influenced the Beatles in no small part with stu’s art work, poetry and Astrids photography and hair styles .
Blessings to his family and friends who created the bench . Love is eternal always !
+Martin Hanley Thank you Martin, so glad you enjoyed it. You are so right, both Stu and Astrid were important to the Beatles story.
Thank you for this David 😊 and RIP Stuart, John,George and Astrid ❤️🙏🕊️
+Belia1313 Lastes My pleasure.
As a life long Beatle obsessive I am loving your channel David. Thanks for taking the time to create and produce these fantastic videos.
+The Bouncing Hearts Thank you so much, this is why I do it, to share what I have learned and to share Liverpool too.
I own one of Stuart’s sketches from one of his art school notebooks. I’ve always been a fan of his. He was the James Dean of the Beatles and a brilliant artist. Was never really a musician but being such a close friend of John’s, John wanted him in the band.
+Bri G That must be so good to own something of Stuart's. what a talented artist he was! He was ok as a musician and helped get the Beatles started.
Thank you for the fabulous tribute to the late Stuart Sutcliffe. I just makes me wonder where he would be right now, and how much more he would have accomplished in his life, if he were still with us. But of course, you can never turn back the clock. Rest in peace Stuart Sutcliffe, John Lennon, George Harrison, Astrid, George Martin, Neil Aspinall, and all other members of the Beatle family who have passed away, and whom I might have forgotten. Great video.
Thanks Scott, Stuart had so much potential and would surely have become a world-renowned artist. What a huge influence he was and a great guy. Glad you enjoyed it. David
Another great Video David. Such a sad end for a young and very talented man. The Beatles, especially John lost a close friend and the world lost the chance to appreciate Stuarts real talent. Who knows what he would have gone on to produce, but i do believe he would have been in the forefront of the art world and the whole sixties decade much like his mates.
+Mike Morris Thanks Mike. He was so talented, and I agree, he would have been celebrated around the world for his art. Such talent.
David, Thank you for such a beautiful, sensitive and poignant tribute to a wonderful artist whose life was unfortunately cut way too short tragically.
It is a pleasure. Stuart was a very talented artist, poet, and so much more, too.
@@BrightmoonLiverpool indeed he was
Lovely video! I have your book, the Fab 104, and some of the photos of Stu were new to me. His tragic passing is still truly heartbreaking.
Thank you and for buying my book too! Stuart was such a special talent.
R.I.P Stuart and Astrid.
Together Again.
+Nige G Meant to be together, they loved each other so much. A tragic love story.
Thank you,David.His art still resonates,complicated but accessible.And tragic we don’t have any oral tributes from the other beatles.
Paul has talked about him, mainly regretting being mean to him and being jealous of his relationship with John. Yoko said that hardly a day went by without John mentioning Stuart. I've always been annoyed when people slate Stuart for his musicianship. But his art, the quality and the quantity, is fantastic and so glad we have that.
I have to take the time to thank you for this channel. I never knew where Stuart was buried or his bench. Thank you so much for your channel!!!!
Thank you Gayle for your kind comments. It is our pleasure.
David, thank you so much for posting this story. I'm a huge Beatles fan and this just answered a few more quesitons about Stu Sutcliffe and the Beatles early days.
+Mike Dovsky My pleasure Mike, just happy to share the amazing stories I have learned in the 22 years of researching and writing about The Beatles.
Stu was the Beatles' engineer! He already inspired John for future music. He is said to have told him that he himself had the oil and the colors, John had the melodies and the music. He also advised John to bring things from life into his songs, as was seen in the later albums!
I think I can say that Stu was the noblest Beatle, he was out of this world.
He and Astrid have been “married” since May 12, 2020, they were not allowed to be so in their lives. May they be together in heaven, inseparable forever!
PS:
Towards the end of the video you can see the people close to him gathered, I assume the young man behind the bench is a great-nephew, he certainly looks quite similar to Stu. 🎸🎨🖌✒🕯
Beautiful said, thank you. Astrid always loved him.
And yes, that is his great nephew - you can tell, as you say.
Thank you, David. Such a heart breaking 💔 story.
+Debbie Martin It is so sad Deb x
Thank you for more insight into the makings of the greatest band of all time. Such a tragedy! Of course I wonder "what if...'. But now my wonder has bright conclusion. Thank you again for your wonderful work!
+Jeff Wier Thank you Jeff, it is my pleasure. Stu was an incredible talent and so important to Beatles history too.
I remember about 20-25 years ago Stuart's backlog of artwork went up for auction in Liverpool. They were very good (Expressionist) and very relatively cheap too, considering their associated heritage. I seriously thought about buying a few pieces, wish I did now. He was a talented artist. Great video again. 👍
+Steg_of_ Neth. He was a great artist and the Sutcliffe Estate still owns so many of his original paintings and drawings. Glad you enjoyed the video too, thank you.
So sad....had me in tears....RIP Stuart....beautiful video my friend
+R O B B I E Thank you, so glad you could appreciate it. It is such a sad and tragic story.
Wonderful video. Well documented and a beautiful tribute to a young man who was taken so young. Well done David.
+Martin Platt Thanks Martin
Wonderful tribute to Stu David. And thanks for giving Tracy a mention x
+dawn 53 Thanks Dawn, and my pleasure, she deserves it. x
Beyond sad. Thanks for posting; images reveal his cool style, revered by Johnny Marr. Best looking man around, and I guess a sensitive soul. May he be at peace.
+Mark Palmar Nicely put Mark. Was such a cool guy.
A beautifully measured, poignant dedication to a talented, young lad who died way beyond his time. His artistic presence and influential upon the The Beatles but especially John more than left its indelible mark.
R.I.P Stuart Sutcliffe!!
🙏❤️.x
Thank you, he was a hugely talented young man, what a sad loss.
Thank you David. Today is the 60th anniversary of Stuart's passing. I'm currently reading the glorious 'Tune In', by Mark Lewisohn, and just read the part where Stuart's tragic passing is described so devastatingly. Poor Millie. Poor Astrid. Poor John. We lost an outstanding artist just as he was getting started. Your piece is very moving, and it is a privilege to be able to see Stuart's resting place. Here's a little scouse saying mentioned in Tune In: "Huyton - two dogs fightin, one is black, the other's a white 'un."
+mustafa1name It was such a tragedy and seeing Astrid describing it on film is heartbreaking. Living close to Huyton, where my daughter lives and my wife and 2 daughters work, we've never heard that phrase! 😞 A better one is: "you can take the lad out of Liverpool, but you can't take Liverpool out of the lad!"
A good informative video of John's best friend Stu,thanks for the documentary video
+Marova Pachuau Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it.
It's nice to get the straight scoop on the story of Stu's tragic passing. And while appears it was unrelated, I enjoyed getting some details on the beating he'd taken from a few droogs some months earlier, and the rescue he received from his mates Pete and John.
Thanks @Cosmo
@@BrightmoonLiverpool You bet, but it is we who should thank you for these marvelous videos. :) Hey, whilst I have ya here, David, tell me...what regional accent do you have? Forgive my ignorance on the matter, but as a Yank who's only been to England a few times, I struggle a bit identifying anything other than the stereotypical Posh and Cockney accents. Are you a Liverpudlian? A Londoner? What accent do you have?
@@Cosmo-Kramer a posh Liverpudlian! My parents were not from Liverpool so I have a hint of theirs in with growing up in the Dingle in Liverpool!
@@BrightmoonLiverpool Interesting. Not surprising then that I was struggling a bit to identify it. Say, this reminds me. I've heard some commenters says that among the original Beatles that Pete had the strongest Scouse accent. Is that true? And how would you rank the accents of John, Paul, George, Pete and Ringo in terms of how strongly Scouse they were. I've never heard Stu speak, but if you have, go ahead and include his Scouse accent in your rankings, as well. Thanks!
This is a lovely video about a beautiful person who died so young. Thank you, Stu for all your contributions to the Beatles and music. Thank you, too, Astrid who is renewing her love with Stu in the Afterlife!
Beautifully put Barbara.
Stuart had far more influence on the direction of the Beatles than people realize. John adored him and Stuart had a great deal of input on how the band presented itself, which led to their huge success. Assumptions have led people believe that he played with his back to the audience because he was insecure in his playing, which is not accurate. He was an artist, and it was a statement of being aloof, much in the vein of James Dean, the whole Rebel Without A Cause thing. A tragic end to a life with spectacular potential, and a loss for all of us who love art.
Thank you, I agree. He doesn't deserve to be treated in the way he does by some people. He became a good bass player and had a huge influence on the Beatles, especially John. Thank you. David
Thank you very much for this video. It humanizes and makes real the background of the individuals who formed The Beatles including Pete Best and his athleticism and fighting arts background to help save Stuart from a horrible incident. Stuarts influence and effect on The Beatles I think lay in his art background which they expounded upon as they matured . Very sad dying so young and before seeing all the success The Beatles would come to have and that he was a part of it.
Thank you. Stuart and Pete are often overlooked for their part in the story, but they are integral to the true story. Stuart's death was so tragic but what a legacy of art he has left us.
A very proper, honorable tribute and revisit to the truly quite, pre-fame Beatle of whom not much was known as founder and contributor. It seems that Stewart's death must have surely served as galvanizing fire of purpose for the boys to push on and succeed. So they did...and so Stewart Sutcliffe is long to be remembered.
+Arnold Zilban Well said. Apparently, Yoko said that hardly a day went by that John didn't mention Stuart.
Thanks David for this nice story.
A pleasure Frank
I read in a book that John Lennon's Aunt Mimi said Stuart was the best friend John ever had. I believe it to be true. John and Stuart were on the same wavelength. They understood and loved each other in a way only friends can.
Almost like brothers. Yoko said hardly a day went by that John didn't mention Stu.
Lovely video David, very moving. Thanks.
BTW, Stu was John's BEST FRIEND in the BEATLES, not Paul. Paul was his writing/business partner first and foremost.
Absolutely right, Paul and Stuart were never close and Paul was instrumental in having Stuart quit.
Why was Paul jealous of Stu?
@@Lightner445555555555 Because John loved Stu and looked up to Stu, in ways he did not feel about Paul. Paul has admitted that he was jealous of Stu because prior to Stu joining the band, John and Paul had been best mates, with George as the younger third wheel. But with Stu around, it was John and Stu who were inseparable bosom mates, leaving Paul on the outside, and only with George to pal around with. Paul only became more annoyed when Pete joined The Beatles because Pete instantly became the heartthrob of the band. Paul was--and is to this day--a very jealous person.
@@Cosmo-Kramer You don't think it had anything to do with age, do you? Because Ringo was the oldest and he got along with George and Paul extremely well🙂.
@@Lightner445555555555 I'm not sure I follow. What are you asking me?
We appreciate your efforts to share solid information.
Thank you so much.
The story I’ve heard all these years is that LENNON had gotten jumped in front of a club, was outnumbered and getting beat up pretty bad, where STUART jumped in to save John, and himself had gotten beaten. John, who was, as we know, Stuart’s great friend from art school, etc., and when Stuart died, John went catatonic with grief because he felt that Stu had saved John himself by simply being another body in the fight to help John out. I’ve heard this as being the real story for at least 40 years now, fwiw.
+Bruce Stewart Hi Bruce, it was the other way round. Stu got jumped and Pete and John went to rescue him. John fractured a finger too. I've had this from Pete Best and others like Bill Harry, a friend of John and Stuart. It is hard trying to get to the facts as there are often several versions out there. David
Great video 👍. Sad that such a talented man died so young. His memory will carry a very special moment in that all can include him as having been a part of a world famous band✌️
He was so talented, it is tragic story.
I have a single written by John Lennon in tribute to Stuart. It,s an instrumental called "Cry for a shadow", on the Polydor label. Flip side "Aint she sweet"
+David Johnson Great songs they recorded with Tony Sheridan.
Not sure it was written for stu but about their influence of the group the shadows
@@diamonddog7613 From what I understand, Cry was written by both Harrison & Lennon as a tribute to the band The Shadows. I never heard of it having anything to do with Stu.
I'm fairly certain Stu was actually at the recording session ...
When he heard that one of his best friends had died suddenly, the grief-stricken star "laughed hysterically". Then he fell to his knees and broke down into tears. He was reportedly inconsolable for some time. His sorry was apparently so great that he couldn't even bring himself to attend the funeral.
John insisted that Astrid photograph him exactly where Stuart stood for a photo.
John and his fellow Beatles couldn't attend the funeral in Liverpool because they were just opening the new Star Club in Hamburg.
This was a beautiful video about Stuart. I am now a subscriber and want to thank you for all you've done
+Catherine Crow Thank you so much Catherine, so glad you enjoyed the video. We have lots of content for you to enjoy and plenty more to come too. David
EXCELENT VIDEO AS ALWAYS THANKS FOR SHARING IT BEST REGARDS FROM CITY PUEBLA IN MEXICO
+Mario Benitez Greetings from Liddypool Mario, thank you.
Excelentes datos, gracias David.
Brilliant…Looking forward to more!
+Paul Clinton Thanks Paul!
You are making a brilliant series of videos David.
+The Great Riffs Thank you - got a great team here at Brightmoon Liverpool to bring you the best we can
I only live around the corner. I was there a few days ago. RIP Stu, RIP George, John and Cyn reunited RIP.
Ps, Stuart was a choir boy too at St Gabriel's Church in Huyton.
It is a beautiful grave and the bench is fabulous too. Stuart was head chorister at one point I believe at St Gabriel's. Glad there are visitors. I'm going there on Friday.
Thank you for giving Pete the credit he well deserves.
A pleasure, he does deserve it.
Well done, thanks for putting to rest the rumors around Stuart.
+ClueSign A pleasure. What a talented guy Stuart was. Glad we can still celebrate his life.
@@BrightmoonLiverpool Talented artist, what sad karma for him.
Why do people always assume the WORST about John?
Ken Brown was the first to put _The Beatles_ together.
I wonder how things would have turned out for him if he had lived into old age ?
He would have been very very big in the art world and been such a fascinating bastion of beatles information .
He certainly would have been the man who had it all .
BUT alas it was not to be and was fated to become a side note in the beatles legacy which is very sad . He must have been a wonderful person to be around even at such a young age .
The world was robbed of someone so special
John looked up to Stu so much. He was an intellectual, a romantic, a philosopher and poet, and a great artist. He was also a decent musician too.
From those I know who knew Stu, I am sure we lost a great young man.
When I was young, there was very little information about Stuart Sutcliffe, which only fuelled my obsession with the ''Fifth Beatle''. Any discussion or information or speculation is welcome to me. I like the aura of mystery that surrounds Stu.
Peter Brown wrote in his book ''The love you make'' that Stuart's mother donated her son's body for scientific research and pathologists found a small tumour caused by a skull fracture, most likely from being kicked by one of the Litherland gang members, in the summer of 1959.
Good video, David. Thanks.
+Adolphe LeBon Glad you enjoyed the video. You can find out more at the official Stuart Sutcliffe Fan Club which I help to run. www.stuartsutcliffefanclub.com
@@BrightmoonLiverpool Thank you very much, David, I'll check it out.👍
The Beatles must have already joined the Freemasons by the time the picture of Stuart was taken doing the Illuminatti had signal (at 3:39mm).
this is what i have noticed too 😳 pulling the yoni hand sign .. Stu has an alliterated name SS .. we don’t see any of the other Beatles pulling Masonic hand signs until 1967 when John and Paul were replaced .. quite a mystery.
God sweet bless you stuart, yoir with your band mate jojn & george now, Im upset now but you were so talented in many ways as an artist, guitarist & brother to yoir family, I too had heavy knocks to my head when I had a head injury, fallen on the lower deck of a bus, & suffered bleeding to my brain & had slight dementia, Anyway stuart God Bless you.
+Stephen Barrie Thanks for sharing your story Stephen, you can truly understand what Stuart went through.
So many tragic tales in the history of The Beatles!
It is so sad, especially the death of Stuart.
I’m not a medical professional, but I doubt we can positively dismiss Stuart’s beating as the start of something that led to his death. I’d like to hear a neurologist, etc, point of view.
I consulted with a neurosurgeon when researching for my book, Liddypool, and he was able to rule out the injury he suffered in January 1961. The main reason, apart from the fact that Stuart had x-rays which showed no injuries, the length of time between that, the beginning of the symptoms and then his death was too far apart. His conclusion was an aneurism.
I've always felt it was from the head injuries. Could have damaged a vessel wall - scar tissue perhaps, a lot more rigid than a soft healthy blood vessel that'll break rather than expand and contract. Or, a thinned weakened vessel like the pipes in a house damaged from prior freezing or corrosion then one day gives out. Despite all the fame and happiness, plenty of tragedy surrounding the Beatles lives. They have really inspired us that life can still be good.
+derekec And they can keep inspiring us too.
I’ve always thought that too. They didn’t know a lot about her injuries even in the 60s. Particularly that was the late 50s early 60s.
Would have been nice if he moved the camera closer to read the inscription on Stuarts head stone.
You mean like he did @ 5:10 ?
It seems Stuarts spirit lives in the Beatles, obviously a huge influence on John Lennon.
I agree. He was so important in those early days and I agree that a lot of his influence remained with John.
he is so forgotten about yet it was him him gave the Beatles their name
Wow; just now learning of the original bassist - so sad & strange:( He definitely would have been the cutest Beatle. imho
+Free-fly BE He was so good looking and the style guru of the Beatles. A sad story.
@@BrightmoonLiverpool it is & I have always heard about Pete Best as the 5th Beatle:/
Hard to believe he would be in his 80s now Wish he had those decades Fine artist rip
It is very poignant isn't it? What a talent he was.
And Colin Unwin a massive Beatle fan who was custodian of Mendips who had Stuarts headstone repaired , because it was leaning over , i think he deserves a mention too. He also painted Strawberry Field gates. It's a great video Stu should be remembered.
+Ann Duncan Glad you enjoyed the video. As you can see, the headstone has been changed to add the names of Stuart's sister Pauline who died not long ago and their mother too.
@@BrightmoonLiverpool That's great, i love the bench too. You are doing a good thing making these nice videos.
Stu was a cool dude! Wonder what could have been?? Respect!
+Fred Bloggs A huge What if? He would have been a famous painter for sure.
Thank you.
+Rossi A pleasure
Thank you
+Denise Saxton Our pleasure
Thank You for the TRUTH
+frank sarna My pleasure Frank. Thank you.
RIP.
Would have loved to have known this exceptional young man
quite a touchin endin subscribing to your channel
Thank you. It is such a sad story, but at least we can celebrate him.
Stuart’s dad was abusive. He may have been hit in the head or knocked into walls sometimes. That would have contributed to head injury.
Where have you got that from? No knowledge or evidence that his dad ever hit Stuart like that. Plus, to be injury-related, death would have occurred soon after, which wasn't the case for Stuart and his father anyway, with his dad away at sea.
It's an interesting sidebar, but there's no indication that Sutcliffe was musically inclined at all. He more or less put on an act to please his art college friend John Lennon.
There is plenty of evidence from people I have interviewed who knew him. Stu loved the music, picked up playing bass and adapted very well to it. He enjoyed being on stage, but after not painting for so long, decided he missed that more, and gave up the music.
@@BrightmoonLiverpool I have to rely on the earliest source material, the Beatles biography by Hunter Davies. According to him, Lennon talked Sutcliffe into buying a bass guitar with the 75 pounds (1,800 in today's money) he'd earned from selling a painting. He habitually kept his back to the German audiences so no one could see how little he knew about playing it, and jumped the Beatles ship as early as he decently could.
@DMBall I have huge respect for Hunter - I co-authored a book with him too - but he didn't have access to the people I have been able to interview over the years. He was relying on the recollections of the Fab Four.
Apart from Stuart's sister Pauline, who I got to know well, I spoke to, and found interviews with, people who played with him. Rod Murray his flatmate spoke at length about John and Stu's love of the same music. Pete Best who played with him in Hamburg. Howie Casey who also played with him in Hamburg, as well as members of German group The Bats who Stuart played with. On top of them, Klaus Voormann, great friend of the Beatles who was inspired to play bass because of Stuart.
John and Paul had to convince him, because he had sold a painting for £65 and was planning on spending it on art supplies, but was convinced to put a deposit down on a bass and join them.
At the very beginning, while learning the bass, he stood side on so he could be guided by John or Paul as to what note to play.
However, he evolved with his fellow Beatles in Hamburg and became a very good rock n roll bass player.
Hope that helps - there have been so many myths over the years that get perpetuated, and I enjoy testing them and finding the truth.
David Bedford
The original bass player
Absolutely right. He was the first and original bass player in the Beatles.
Stu & Astrid were the first ones to wear the "BEATLE" hair cuts. John had really wanted Stu on their first record, the Tony Sheridan one but he was sure that his playing days were over and refused. Too bad, I am sure just as John and the others had improved he had too.
Thanks for your comments, yes Astrid and Stu were responsible for so much of the Beatles style back then. Stu quit just before the record as he had enrolled in the Hamburg Art School and was going to do that full time. But Stu was a good bass player for sure.
Are you a Nick Drake fan?
The fifth Beatle was Billy Preston.
Ah, the great debate which we will have soon as to who was the Fifth Beatle?
@@BrightmoonLiverpool
Eric Clapton also contributed but was given no credit.
Exellent....
+Graham Sclater Thank you.
The 5th Beatle was Pete Best. He was the 1st drummer. He was replaced by Ringo Starr.
+Jennifer Thomas It is a topic a lot of people like to engage in. Taking things chronologically, you are right Jennifer.
I can imagen,Stuart would have contributed greatly ,the art work on beatle album covers,then again perhaps he spiritually has.
I think he has always been there, especially coming up with the name, Beatles.
Anyone remember Goldmine advertising an auction of Stu's postcards detaling his hospital visits especially the funny one where he put the gown on backwards and the nurse coming back to find him sitting pretty nude? I'm not sure who he was writing to. I wish i bought THOSE! How did Astrid get Stu's body to England? who paid cuz it was probably expensive even back then. Too bad MRI's didn't exist-where are those "x-rays" now?
That graveyard is in horrible condition. Does no one ever keep them up?
Only occasionally, unfortunately
Stu cannot be the fifth Beatle. He was of the original four. Technically Ringo is the fifth coming in to replace Pete and OG Paul MCCA moved over to play the bass.
+Fred Hill It is a great debate. I agree that, chronologically, Stu should be the Fourth Beatle, making Pete Best the Fifth Beatle. However, I think what many people mean is the "Fifth Fab Four" over an above John Paul, George and Ringo.
@@BrightmoonLiverpool again technically Stu should be third Beatle. John,Paul,Stu, Pete. George was brought in by Paul that makes George fifth Beatle. They played and lived in Hamburg as five piece at one time before Stu’s death. Once Brian got a hold of them and they were brought to work with George Martin they axed Pete Best and gave the seat to Ringo. That’s makes Ringo sixth Beatle. The real argument is with William Shepherd! I would say Billy is the sixth Beatle and Ringo the seventh lol. You see the Beatles as a whole are a seven headed demon. Lol
A sense of humor and an open mind is needed here obviously lol.
GEORGE MARTIN IS/WAS the 5th. BEATLE, just ask PAUL or RINGO!!!
Love the Beatles but I've read John got into a fight with him, kicked him in his head and this may have had been a factor. I hope it's not true.
+Dum Dum I answer that question in the film for you, as it has been talked about for years.
If John an Stuart had gotten in a fight I doubt John would have kicked him in the head? When fighting a friend your not out to really injure them. I don't think John would have done that.
+Michael Harrington I agree Michael.
So sad to see such a poorly kept graveyard. RIP, Stu.
+S Ess RIP Stu. Gone but not forgotten.
It's pretty and vintage
I'm not familiar with this guy did he play with the Beatles ?
+Junior Johnson A founder member of the Beatles in 1960, the original bass player who also suggested the name Beatles. Was John's best friend from Art College. We will be doing a biog of him soon, so make sure you've subscribed and don't miss it. He was such an important part of the Beatles early history.
@@BrightmoonLiverpool Thank You for getting back with me 🙏 I've subscribed & looking forward to more of your videos !
I knew a lad who had brain hemorrhage good half a year after a severe beating..
for Stuart it was 15 months, but his other symptoms don't suggest a beating and the autopsy also found no evidence of injury either.
moon in aquarius they die young. God ha it all planned. No errors
THAT'S THE MYSTERY OF PAUL MC CARTNEY TOO? HE'S DEAD TO! THE ONE NOW'S AN IMPOSTER ALL THESE YEARS?
Got to love the "Paul is Dead" mystery!!
So, Paul dies and his imposter sits down and writes Penny Lane, Fool on the Hill, Hello Good Bye, Sgt. Pepper Hearts Club Band, It's Getting Better All the Time, Fixing a Hole,She's Leaving Home, Lovely Rita Meter maid, Your Mother Should Know, and HEY Jude ALL inside of 24 months of joining the band??? YOU ARE NUTS and probably believe in QANON and voted for Donald Trump, twice!
@@50milliondownthedraintonym16 I was wondering if anyone would be interested in this. I see it more as a bit of fun with some great stories with it. Might revisit it.
John always thought it was him...I thought it was litherland where he got jumped
It was Lathom for sure.
@@BrightmoonLiverpool I got mixed up..lot of Ted's then..love your stuff cos you see it parallel like me..exact spots.. Beatles were a supernatural force
Oh no that's pink moon.
The fifth Beatle was George Martin.
This is a popular debate!
McCartney said Brian Epstein was the 5th
Stu died studied.
Number 6 in 66
That doesn’t answer a lot on Stu death .
The person widely known as 'the fifth Beatle' was George Martin. Sutcliffe had absolutely nothing to do with the success of the Beatles. Sutcliffe left the band to pursue a career in art, having previously attended the Liverpool College of Art, as had John Lennon.
Foolish comment. Stu was a Beatle when there were 5 of them. He was 4th to join (May 1960) and Pete Best was 5th (Aug). "The success of" them? Who said anything about the success of them? George Martin came years later. So Ringo was 6th and George Martin would be 7th except he was never a Beatle.
He was kicked out, he didn't leave on his own
+erepsekahs The first person to be called the Fifth Beatle was Jimmie Nicol in 1964 when he replaced Ringo for 2 weeks. We will delve more into this topic for sure soon. Stu was a founder member of the group who was part of the Beatles that conquered Hamburg and Liverpool, along with Pete Best. Without them, they would not have come to Epstein's attention, got a record deal and then added Ringo. So Stuary is a vital piece of the Beatles story.
+Dum Dum Stuart wasn't kicked out. He decided to leave so that he could devote his time to his art, signing up to study in Hamburg. Paul then took over on bass.
@@BrightmoonLiverpool He is a piece of the Beatles story. If it had not been for Paul's mother he would not have existed...so she is a vital piece of the Beatles story. If it had not been for Astrid Kirchherr Stuart Sutcliffe would not have stayed in Germany. If it had not been for .....shall I go on? Just for your information there was a stage play about the Beatles called, 'John, Paul, George, Ringo and Bert' many years ago, in 1974 I believe. It was written by Willy Russell,, the same man who wrote 'Educating Rita.' which I pray you have seen. if not God will punish you. as it is sure to be the very first question you are asked at The Pearly Gates, "Have you seen Educating Rita." Anyway in my considered opinion, and that of hundreds of millions of others, including Her Majesty The Queen, the only fifth Beatle that matters if their musical educator, Producer, mixer, technical Wizard, Master of Patience, who played on one heck of a lot of Beatles recordings and created the 'whirling organ' in For The Benefit of Mr. Kite' Sir George Martin.
Best wishes from Hamburg, my way to work crosses several Beatles-connected places, thinking about them very often ...
How incredible, do you work near the Reeperbahn? What a fabulous city Hamburg is and so important to Beatles history.
@@BrightmoonLiverpool My Bureaus Adress is Reeperbahn No.1. Being a Beatles fan since childhood, I even know Astrid`s former home Eimsbuttler Str. 45a, where the Beatles took their first real bath in Hamburg and Stuart later had his atelier in the attic. Still have to visit Liverpool. Keep up the great work with this channel!
There was a fifth one???
Yes
The Beatles were originally a 5 piece; John, Paul, George, Stuart and Pete. When Stu quit they became a four piece and stayed that way.
@@BrightmoonLiverpool ohh that’s awesome! Didn’t know that 0_0 you learn new things every day