Years later George (Harrison) would recall in one interview: "Stu had no idea how to play, we all showed him what we could but he really picked it up by coming around with us and playing onstage." Although it became clear to everyone including John, that Stuart would never be as excellent a musician as he was a brilliant artist. The group would turn his amp off whenever he couldn't follow a song or was having a difficult time finishing it. Stu on the other hand, would rather turn his back to the crowd during live gigs for them not to notice his flaw.
However because of this, he was able to embody that distinctive sense of style and mystery to the band's appearance. Shortly after a few gigs in their local area, the boys got an invitation to play in a club somewhere in Hamburg. But before flying-off, they had to undergo a series of modifications of their band's name; from Johnny & the Moondogs, to the Silver Beetles, until finally Stu came up with just "The Beetles." Stuart was thinking of a name that would resemble Buddy Holly & the Cricketts since John and Paul (McCartney) were into them at that time.
Later the second "e" was dropped and instead was replaced by an "a" since John had specified that "we're a beat group."
Meanwhile back in Hamburg, a couple were having a lover's quarrel when the guy, Klaus Voorman (who later went on to design the cover of Revolver) decided to walk out and just wander the streets of Hamburg for some fresh air until he found himself walking into a club and heard a performance by a group of musicians from Liverpool. He was also so enthralled by this and ran back to his (then) lover, Astrid Kircherr, to tell her about them. They began to talk to these boys after the performance and right away there was an immediate connection between Stuart and Astrid. Even though there was a huge communication gap, the two fell in love instantly with each other.
Article comments
1 - Guppusmaximus
I have to say what an excellent article....
The talent hasn't been forgotten. I went to the R'n'R Hall of Fame when they were having a huge tribute to Lennon and one of the rooms was dedicated to Stuart because he was a huge factor in one of the most successful bands on the planet.
2 - nellie o apple
I felt sadness in my heart.
3 - nellie o apple
So he was the 5th Beatle!
4 - Dan
A worthless article. Didn't it occur to you to actually review the book, instead of just rehashing what most fans already know anyway?
5 - José
I agree with Dan. This article is irrelevant cause I don´t know if the book is worth reading.
6 - carolynshute
Last Night I watched a programe called "Stuart Sutcliffe: The Last Beatle".I found it very moving and extremely sad. What a waste of an extremely gifted and talented young man. I thought that "Agie" and stuarts' sister were very brave in recounting there memories of there loss. My heart felt for them a to John Lennon who obviously had the strongest of bonds with him! I know now I'll never forget his story.
7 - Tread
He is the fourth Beatle, Pete Best is the 5th and Ringo, oddly enough is the 6th Beatle.
8 - Sarah Baehler
I agree, this is just an article which rehashes the story of Stuart but doesn't say anything about the book itself. But I found the article very good. I've read the book and I've found it so moving, a great tribute to Stuart who died too soon! I can say its worth reading it!! honestly, I was captured by Pauline's closeness to Stuart. The book burrows a lot interesting comments by Pauline about what exactly might have caused Stuart's sudden death etc. I've seen the movie too, and I'll never forget Stuart either!