Credit: Cintia Prieto(LIVERPOOL) — A new larger-than-life statue of The Beatles is scheduled to be unveiled on Friday morning in the band’s hometown of Liverpool, England. Liverpool Express reports that the statue, which is made of bronze and stands eight feet tall, has been installed in front of the Cunard Building along the city’s waterfront.
John Lennon’s half-sister Julia Baird and Liverpool Deputy Mayor Ann O’Byrne will be on hand for the ceremony, which will take place at 10:30 a.m. local time (3:30 p.m. ET). The sculpture was gifted to Liverpool by the Cavern Club, the famous venue where the Fab Four frequently performed before becoming international superstars. The club’s team donated the statue with hope that it will become another attraction to help draw visitors to Liverpool.
“I am honored to be unveiling this statue in our wonderful city of Liverpool,” says Baird. “It stands in loving memory of the best band in the world; the band that leapt from the Cavern stage to world-wide recognition.”
The ceremony is timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the last time The Beatles performed in their hometown, at the Liverpool Empire on December 5, 1965.
Adds Baird, “I was present at that event and am proud to be at the unveiling.”
The statue, which weighs 1.2 tons, was created by sculptor Andy Edwards and was conceived by Chris Butler, owner of the Liverpool-area Castle Fine Arts Foundry. It was based on photos of the band members taken in 1963, and depicts Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and Lennon walking side by side in suits and coats.
“I think the statue will quickly become a place of ritual,” says Edwards. “It will be a place to come together, have a think, meditate and play.”
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