Astrid Kirchherr, friend and photographer of The Beatles, passed away on May 12, 2020 at the age of 81. She was the first photographer to take professional quality photos of the Beatles. Her famous black and white portraits taken in Hamburg, Germany in October 1960 show The Beatles dressed in leather jackets and slicked-back hair – quite different from the moptop hairstyle and Edwardian suits they would adopt two years later.
Read more about The Beatles in Hamburg, Germany
Astrid also influenced The Beatles’ bassist, Stuart Sutcliffe, on wearing collarless jackets and the infamous “bowl” haircut, which in turn influenced the rest of the Beatles to adopt this unique style.
Stuart Sutcliffe and Astrid became a couple and were engaged by the end of 1960, which led Stu to stay with Astrid in Hamburg. and eventually quit the Beatles.
In April 1962, Stuart died unexpectedly from a brain hemorrhage. Stu was only 21 when he died, but his paintings and connection to the Beatles still remain an important part of the Beatles history.
Astrid Kirchherr said years later about Stuart: “He was, and still is, the love of my life, even though he’s gone for such a long time, but I never ever — and I was married a couple of times — met another man who was so fascinating, so beautiful and so soft and well-mannered… and such a gifted artist.”
Read more in Daytrippin’s article:
The Ballad of John, Yoko, Stuart and Astrid
In 1964, Astrid visited The Beatles in Liverpool and London and took behind the scenes photos of them on the set of A Hard Day’s Night.
Click to read Rolling Stone’s obituary on Astrid
PHOTOGRAPHS by Astrid Kirchherr
Click here to see a portfolio of Astrid’s photos of The Beatles
BOOKS by Astrid Kirchherr
BACKBEAT – The Movie
Astrid was a consultant on the movie, Backbeat, which came out in 1994.
The movie was about The Beatles’ years in Hamburg.
It’s available on Amazon – click here
Daytrippin’ Magazine Issue 1 (December 1997)
Special report on Astrid Kirchherr’s visit to Beatlefest
and her memories of The Beatles in Hamburg
Back Issues available either in print (hard copy) or electronic PDF format
Electronic PDF issues only $1.99
Ordering info here:
https://daytrippin.com/magazine/back-issues/
Daytrippin’ articles about Astrid Kirchherr
The Beatles photography exhibit by Astrid Kirchherr opens in Liverpool (2010)
Review of Astrid Kirchherr: A Retrospective
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