Early Beatles to Be Honored with Liverpool Street Names?

Pete Best and Stuart Sutcliffe were both members of The Beatles during the group’s early years but left the band before they found fame. Now, the forgotten Beatles may be recognized with Liverpool streets named in their honor.

The city’s council began considering the prospect after the Liverpool Beatles Appreciation Society International suggested that the pair have been overlooked as an important aspect of the city’s history.

“Sutcliffe and Best are very much a part of the early history of The Beatles — both went to Hamburg in the early days and developed the Merseybeat sound and got a following for the band — they should be recognized,” said John James Chambers, LBASI founder.

Liverpool already features streets named after the legendary Fab Four, including Paul McCartney Way, John Lennon Drive, George Harrison Close and Ringo Starr Drive.

Best was the original drummer for The Beatles, but was replaced by Starr in 1962. Sutcliffe was the band’s original bassist and left the group in the same year to pursue painting. The latter’s involvement with the band was chronicled in the 1994 film Backbeat.

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