Gene Grimes has been working for over three decades trying to get Liverpool to give a greater recognition to The Beatles. After getting streets in Kensington named John Lennon Drive, Paul McCartney Way, George Harrison Close and Ringo Starr Drive for the Beatles (see pictures in slideshow) and also the statues of the Beatles in Cavern Walks, he has been campaigning for the last five years to get streets named for the other two Beatles, Pete Best and Stuart Sutcliffe.
In addition, he's also been working to get a street named in honor of Beatles' manager Brian Epstein without whom, Grimes says, "there would be no Beatles." In the meantime, the Neptune Theatre is to be renamed the Epstein Theatre when it re-opens.
Grimes, a good friend of Pete Best's as well as a great supporter of the former Beatles' drummer, wants Liverpool to recognize Best's contribution to the Beatles. "Pete is a gentleman and an ambassador for this city because he tours all over the world representing Liverpool. He was an integral part of The Beatles' story and his part in the story should be recognised," he says
He is also pushing for Stuart Sutcliffe to receive recognition too. "Stuart's role in the early Beatles in Hamburg especially was crucial as The Beatles developed their new sound. It was just a tragedy that he lost his life so young, and never received the recognition he would have been due," says Grimes.
Grimes has been in discussions with the Liverpool City Council for a number of months and he has received great support as the City Council very receptive to his campaign. The campaign has also gotten the endorsement of the British Beatles Fan Club.
With the help of "Liddypool" author Dave Bedford, a Facebook group called "Name Liverpool Streets after Pete Best, Stuart Sutcliffe and Brian Epstein" has been set up to try and gain international support for Gene's campaign. Supporters can join the Facebook group and give their support to Grimes and his efforts to get recognition for the three men.
(Thanks to David Bedford.)
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Comments
when i went to Liverpool for the Beatles convention in 1983, I took a trip out to the development that contained the Beatle Streets mentioned above. Among them was a road called "Epstein Court". So I guess the question would be, isn't there already one named after Brian?
Give me a break, Helen. Epstein Ct. cannot be described as a proper street; it is nothing but a nasty little alley space behind a couple of derelict buildings.
Also, there is a Sutcliffe St. in the same area as the four Beatles-named streets. Go to Google Maps and enter Sutcliffe St, Liverpool, UK.
The Beatles, the band that shocked the world was integrated by: JOHN LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY, GEORGE HARRISON and RINGO STARR...and that's it...Pete did not have the height of the Beatles and Stuart was there because of John, he did not even like doing music!!! didn't know how to play!!!
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