'Fifth Beatle' sister rejects Lennon row claim

The guitar player turned painter who quit The Beatles did not die because of a row with John Lennon, his sister said today.

But the argument shortly before "fifth Beatle" Stuart Sutcliffe’s tragic death at 21 would “not have helped” an “already vulnerable situation”, Pauline Sutcliffe said today.

Ms Sutcliffe rejected recent newspaper reports claiming that she blamed the row with Lennon for his death.

Sutcliffe was suffering from blackouts and temporary blindness before he died from a brain haemorrhage in the arms of his fiancée, Astrid, in Germany, in April 1962.

Ms Sutcliffe was speaking at the preview of a sale of a collection featuring personal letters, poetry, sketchbooks and photographs belonging to Sutcliffe.

She said: “The fight with John would not have helped in an already vulnerable situation. But they maintained a relationship until Stuart’s death.”

She told how letters of up to 20 pages were exchanged between the pair even after Sutcliffe quit the band to pursue a career as an artist.

She also spoke of the “terrible grief” that particularly affected Lennon following the death.

Of Sutcliffe’s decision to quit the band, she said: “He thought he was going to be as famous as a painter as they were going to be as a band.”

Ms Sutcliffe went on: “This sale confirms for me that I haven’t spent 40 years of my life in vain.

“You see I always believed Stuart was not only the central force behind The Beatles – but also the member who most influenced their public image – making style statements that still reverberate throughout the world to this day.

“More importantly though he was an artist who chose to put his affiliation with The Beatles to the side in order to pursue his first love – his art.”

Sutcliffe was among Lennon’s closest friends and met the charismatic front man at Liverpool College of Art.

Among items on offer will be Sutcliffe’s birth certificate, excerpts of his school homework, college certificate, and framed art works which are expected to fetch up to £8,000 (€11,200).

His interest in literature, poetry and philosophy is emphasised in the collection with some of his poetry books up for sale and expected to fetch up to £1,500 (€2,100).

Love letters to girlfriend Astrid Kirchherr are also included in the collection.

Ms Sutcliffe said she hoped Beatles fans across the world would buy some of the items.

The auction will take place at Bonhams in London on July 29.