Fundraiser launched to honour ‘fifth Beatle’ Brian Epstein with 7ft statue

Campaigners are collecting donations to honour with a 7ft statue the Beatles’ Liverpool-born manager Brian Epstein in his hometown.

Epstein, who was born to a Jewish family in 1934, became affectionately known as the Beatles’ “fifth member” after hearing them play in the city’s Cavern Club in the autumn of 1961 and catapulting the band to global stardom.

Epstein, who brought other stars to fame, such as Cilla Black, Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas, was later found dead in his Belgravia apartment at the age of 32 in what an inquest ruled was an accidental drug overdose of sleeping pills.

Campaigners launched a five-week crowdfunding campaign on what would have been Epstein’s 85th birthday to raise at least £60,000 for a 7ft statue of Epstein in his hometown. Donations have already come in, with over £2,000 raised since the campaign started last week on the website Crowdfunder.

Epstein’s family said in a statement: “Brian was a modest and reserved man, but as a family we are in no doubt that he, his brother Clive, and his parents Queenie and Harry, would have been immensely touched by the consistent efforts to pay tribute to his contribution to The Beatles and the city of Liverpool.”

Sculptor Andy Edwards, known for his sculpture of the Fab Four in the city’s Pier Head, has already designed a clay bust and maquette of the Epstein sculpture.

“After spending a lot of time staring at Brian Epstein’s face, I see before anything else, the charm and feeling in his eyes,” he said.

“I see a smile born of trust. A smile that elicits a smile back, an exchange of confidence and encouragement in what might happen. This is what I want to capture in Brian’s sculpture to share with everyone who will see it.”