Post by yerblues1968 on Oct 3, 2010 20:11:47 GMT -5
SPECIAL PLAQUE FOR THE 'FIFTH BEATLE' BRIAN EPSTEIN IN SEVEN DIALS
bbc.co.uk
Tuesday, 28 September 2010 16:02 UK
Page last updated at 15:02 GMT
Cilla Black has unveiled a special plaque in honour of Brian Epstein at 13 Monmouth Street in Seven Dials,
where the Beatles' manager had his first London office.
Cilla Black
Epstein's management company NEMS (named after his family's record shop, North East Music Stores) moved from Liverpool to its offices in Monmouth Street in 1963.
Dubbed the 'fifth Beatle' by John Lennon, Epstein worked with the defining acts of a movement that came to be known as Mersey Sound.
Among the artists managed by Brian Epstein were Gerry and the Pacemakers, Cilla Black and, of course, The Beatles.
Brian's influential role in pop culture is being recognised by the community of Seven Dials with its first ever heritage plaque.
Cilla Black unveiling Brian Epstein Plaque at
13 Monmouth Street, Seven Dials. (2:28 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=s67Ljd_ZKYk
At the unveiling, Councillor Jonathan Simpson, Mayor of The London Borough of Camden said:
"Brian Epstein is a musical institution and his influence has made popular music what it is today. To be joined by Cilla Black shows just how much Brian meant to musicians as much as music itself."
John Lennon and his first wife, Cynthia, asked Brian to be the godfather to their son Julian.
Cynthia wrote a special dedication for Brian Epstein for the unveiling of his plaque in Seven Dials:
"Brian Epstein was a true gentleman of the first order. He was instrumental in changing all our lives with his vision, generosity and dedication.
Brian was truly the fifth Beatle and godfather to my/our son Julian, and a real friend during the heady, frenzied years of the 60's.
He brought culture to our gauche young lives with an experience beyond his years.
I miss him now as much as I missed him then. His tragic death for one so young was a massive loss to all who knew and loved him.
It is with great respect that I write these words for a young man who had so much to offer and in his short life, DID."
news.bbc.co.uk/local/london/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_9040000/9040878.stm
