Sutcliffe, Stuart Fergusson Victor (23rd June 1940-10th April 1962)
He was an artist and bass player born in Edinburgh,
Scotland.After selling one of his
paintings to buy his bass guitar he became a member of the group The Quarrymen
through his friendship with John Lennon.After the name of the group had
changed, it is said from his suggestion, he was often known as the Fifth
Beatle.Always self-conscious
he often played with his back to the audience as he was uncomfortable on stage,
and as he was a gifted artist he left the group to pursue a career in
art.Paul McCartney took over
from being the second lead guitarist to bass player in his absence. His
girlfriend/fiancee was the designer Astrid Kirchherr and she was said to
have been instrumental in the way they dressed in their early stage
appearances.He collapsed in Hamburg
from a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 21 on 10th
April 1962 and died later in
hospital.Stephen Dorff played
his character in the film Backbeat.
