Liverpool Brian Epstein statue approved!

[christine~]

From Liverpool Daily Post: Statue to honour Beatles legend Brian Epstein

Feb 1 2008 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post

THE legendary manager of The Beatles is to be honoured with a statue.

Brian Epstein discovered the band and guided them to global fame, while also managing Cilla Black, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Billy J Kramer, and others.

Now Liverpool council have agreed his contribution to the city’s cultural heritage should be permanently saluted, with possible sites earmarked by scheme promoters Homotopia as Williamson Square, Mathew Street, and Whitechapel.

A motion was proposed by Cllrs Eddie Clein and Steve Rotheram at Wednesday’s council meeting.

Cllr Rotheram said: “We wanted to recognise the role he played in Liverpool’s musical heritage.

“People who are 50 perhaps know and understand but there’s a large cohort who don’t know who Brian Epstein is.”

But solicitor Rex Makin, a former friend, said: “I think it's rubbish, I don't believe in statues of any kind. He wouldn't have wanted one - Brian was a very private person.”

But John James Chambers from the Liverpool Beatles Appreciation Society, was more positive. “We support this and indeed believe Brian, Stuart Sutcliffe and Pete Best should be made freemen of the city.”

After George Harrison’s death in 2001 there were calls for a Mathew Street statue similar to John Lennon’s.

Cllr Rotheram said he was reluctant to put a timescale on Mr Epstein’s statue because the city was still waiting for a tribute to Mr Harrison.

Mr Epstein died in 1967 from an accidental drug overdose.


© 2008 owned by or licensed to Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales Limited.
Liverpool Daily Post™ is a trade mark of Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales Limited.

[christine~]

It was Brian who made The Beatles



It was Brian Epstein who made The Beatles
Feb 4 2008 by Paddy Shennan, Liverpool Echo

Joe Flannery – a friend of Brian’s and The Beatles’ first booking manager – tells Peter Grant why he feels such a tribute is needed . . .

“BRIAN’S contribution to showbiz alone deserves recognition.

I knew Brian from childhood and we became firm friends.

I was in showbiz as a singer and our paths crossed in such places as the Iron Door Club, just after he had started to manage The Beatles.

You only have to look at the fantastic stable of stars he nurtured and promoted, from Cilla Black to Billy J Kramer, Gerry And The Pacemakers to The Beatles.

Quite simply, The Beatles could not have reached the levels of stardom they achieved without his astute guidance and vision.

I am a Liverpudlian who loves to see plaques and statues to our city’s favourite sons.

A statue for Brian would be a great tourist attraction in its own right.

Why? Because when anyone talks about The Beatles the name Brian Epstein is there.

He has to be. I recall Paul McCartney telling me just how integral Brian was to their success.

I have already ensured that Brian’s legacy is honoured by unveiling a painting by Anthony Brown at the Neptune Theatre.

The venue is dedicated to him but, sadly, the Neptune’s future is in doubt and is currently closed.

If it does re-open I shall unveil it all over again – we need a tribute to the man.

Brian loved theatre and I think, with that in mind, a statue is important to show that we cared about him.

I would locate it near the Empire or facing the Playhouse or Royal Court theatres.

We have statues in Liverpool dedicated to people of great importance and others, too, that are talking points such as Superlambanana.

We have paid tribute already, and quite rightly, to the Moores brothers, Billy Fury and John Lennon.

It is my strong belief that a statue to Brian Epstein is long overdue and would be something fans and visitors would seek out.

Brian was a man of great charm and integrity and he was at the forefront of the music revolution that stemmed from Liverpool.

As we honour pioneers in business, the arts and other fields so we should honour Brian who had a natural flair for showbusiness, the music industry and the theatre world.

I am 100% behind any project to have a statue to Brian Epstein. He deserves it.”

But Brian’s friend, solicitor and one-time neighbour, ECHO columnist Rex Makin, tells Paddy Shennan it’s a ridiculous idea . . .

“BRIAN never moved without me. I advised him on everything. I knew him better than anybody.

He used to call in on a daily basis when he went to lunch and on one occasion he presented me with John Lennon’s scrapbook to keep for safety purposes. I did so. What happened to the scrapbook in the end I do not know, but it must be worth millions today.

At Paul McCartney’s 21st birthday party, Lennon punched Cavern DJ Bob Wooler and broke his nose. He came to me to sue John Lennon but, because of my relationship with Brian, I settled the matter between them in a way which would today be held improper, for £200 odd plus costs, and that was the end of that.

I remember when Brian’s father died in June 1967. Brian came and sat with me in my garden in Queens Drive, Childwall and fondly looked over to his old garden next door.

Sadly, just two months later, I was making Brian’s funeral arrangements.

He would have laughed at the idea of a statue. He would think it inappropriate.

Brian was a very introspective person and, unfortunately, he was the victim of clingers-on, who remain to this day. He was an afflicted soul.

I, too, think a statue for Brian is a ridiculous idea. I am against statues in general, except for people like double Victoria Cross recipient Noel Chavasse and Bishop David Sheppard and Archbishop Derek Worlock. A Chavasse statue is long overdue.

Regarding Brian’s statue, where are they going to get the money and who’s going to be responsible for it? It’s all illusory and pie in the sky.

Even though I don’t agree with the idea, if a statue does end up being erected for Brian, then I would be the first to welcome it, applaud it and venerate it.

But I am fed up with this absolute nonsense of people trying to jump on the bandwagon of yesteryear people.

People have rung me up and said there should be a statue of me. What do I say? ‘Rubbish!’

Brian wouldn’t have wanted a statue of himself and I couldn’t support it. Let him rest in peace.”

© 2008 owned by or licensed to Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales Limited.
Liverpool Echo™ is a trade mark of Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales Limited.

[christine~]

christine says: I am a "clinger-on"..? Oh jeez, thanks a lot! And to you, too, I say, "Rubbish!"

More than anything, Brian wanted to be loved. And that, dear Mr Makin, is what we are doing at this late date.

You say, "Let him rest in peace?" In other words, let him finish fading away into oblivion ~ for that was what was happening.

I think Makin had only seen one side of Brian ~ the side Brian also wanted his family to see.

He says:
> “BRIAN never moved without me. I advised him on everything. I knew him better than anybody.
Gimme an effin break! I'm sure that's what he wanted you to think...

> He used to call in on a daily basis when he went to lunch and on one occasion he presented me with John Lennon’s scrapbook to keep for safety purposes. I did so. What happened to the scrapbook in the end I do not know, but it must be worth millions today.
Can't even keep track of one lousy scrapbook? Safekeeping, eh. Well, at least in my eyes, your method of "safekeeping" proves how much you really cared about the real man inside the man.
By the way, he called many people daily, on a schedule. He had a way of making every individual feel that he was "the special one" to Brian.

At least you promise to show another face when the statue is finally erected. You say:
> Even though I don’t agree with the idea, if a statue does end up being erected for Brian, then I would be the first to welcome it, applaud it and venerate it.
That comes across to me like a confusing/confused? old man.

All I know is, from what so very many other trustworthy people claim was the "real" Brian Epstein, it is obvious that this beautiful man had many different personalities ~ and was genius enough to convince each separate person that they were encountering the "real" Brian. He was truly "chameleon man."

The side that would have appreciated being remembered by plaques, statues and love, was the side known by Joe Flannery.

Hearts to ya, Joe.
I would love to meet you someday.

[iamthewalrus]

This is great news and long overdue! Better late then never though.

[christine~]

Today's generation admires and appreciates him so much more than my own generation ever did.
Another bit of proof that Brian was far ahead of his time ~~