The Beatles Story has marked what would have been 76th birthday of original band member Stuart Sutcliffe by exhibiting his school report card at the popular museum.
The somewhat damning report card of the so-called ‘fifth Beatle’ has been loaned by The Prescot School, where Sutcliffe studied from 1951-1956, and describes the young Stuart as possessing ‘some imagination but little evidence of future distinction’.
Often hailed as the ‘fifth Beatle’ in light of his role as original bassist for the Fab Four, Sutcliffe met John Lennon at the Liverpool College of Art. There, Lennon encouraged Stuart to purchase a guitar with money made from the sale of one of his paintings and Sutcliffe swiftly progressed to working with the band on some of their early songs.
Stuart tragically died from a brain haemorrhage at the tender age of 21, however, his legacy as a valuable early member of the band lives on in the various memorabilia collated at the Albert Dock museum.
Martin King of The Beatles Story said, “We are delighted to introduce the school report to the exhibition. The new artefact, launched with the assistance of current pupils, is an insight into the childhood of the band’s original bassist.
“The notes provided by a former teacher on the back of the report card make it clear that while Stuart wasn’t necessarily the most academic pupil, from an early age he was considered to have an artistic streak and was happily involved with the arts. It is a truly interesting piece and will sit along many other artefacts from the band’s younger years.”
The artefact will be on display at The Beatles Story until May 2019.