Statue to honour Beatles legend Brian Epstein

Feb 1 2008 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post

Brian Epstein (158)

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.