The Beatles are back in the spotlight on Merseyside after the unveiling of a new bronze statue over the weekend in Liverpool. John Lennon’s younger half-sister, Julia Baird joined the city’s deputy mayor Cllr Ann O’Byrne at the official unveiling at the Pier Head, as the city commemorated 50 years since the world famous group’s last show in their home surroundings.
Fifty years since last Liverpool show
That last gig at the Empire Theatre on December 5th, 1965 was at the height of Beatlemania, when the names and images of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr were establishing the band as the biggest stars in the music industry.
Screaming fans met them whenever and wherever they appeared in public, worshipping their idols and loving their ground-breaking sound.
Jaunty image captured
Andrew Edwards’ sculpture depicts the jaunty image of the members of the ‘Fab Four’ walking along in jackets and coats towards the river Mersey. Weighing in at 1.2 tonnes, it was based on real photos from 1963 and has been generously donated by the venue forever inextricably linked to The Beatles: the Cavern Club.
Edwards was also the creator of the “All Together Now Christmas Truce WWI” statue which stands proudly on show in St George’s Hall. He told BBC News that he hoped that his latest creation would become "a place of ritual" for the people of Liverpool.
Best-selling band
Few would argue that the famous quartet deserve all the plaudits afforded them. They are recognized as the best-selling band of all-time, with estimates of their global sales ranging between 600 million up to a staggering one billion units. They were adored across the Atlantic and in many parts of the world almost as much as in their homeland, commonly being voted as the best artists in history by both the British and American Music press.
In the UK alone their success is unparalleled: fifteen number one albums and approaching 22 million sales in singles.
John Lennon’s half-sister attended
Ms. Bird backed those eye-catching statistics by referring to The Beatles at the grand unveiling as “the best band in the world.” She attended the event in person back in 1965 and was fittingly present on Saturday to dedicate the new statue to their “loving memory,” adding the memorable tagline that they “leapt from The Cavern stage to worldwide recognition.”
