The stars were out to see the unveiling of the commemorative blue plaque for Brian Epstein.
Liverpool actor Andrew Lancel, musician Adam Ant and actress Vicki
Michelle were among the many well wishers gathered to pay tribute to the
Beatles
manager at the old NEMS offices in London.
Andrew played Brian in Epstein - The Man Who Made The Beatles in
Liverpool last year, and now he’s set to don those smart suits again as
the play opens at the Leicester Square Theatre.
Andrew said: "I'm honoured to be part of the unveiling party and I’m thrilled to be playing Brian in the West End.”
Brian’s company NEMS Enterprises occupied offices on the fifth floor
of the building from the height of Beatlemania in 1964 until shortly
after his death in August 1967, aged just 32.
He would have turned 80 on September 19 this year, and he was
recently posthumously inducted into the USA's Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame.
The unveiling was hosted by Allo Allo actress Vicki Michelle, president of the Heritage Foundation.
Andrew Lancel, Adam Ant and actress Vicki
Michelle she was joined by Geoffrey Ellis, Brian’s friend who became chief
executive administrator of NEMS Enterprises Ltd, Tony Bramwell, who
worked at NEMS and was later head of Apple Records, Bill Harry, author
and Mersey Beat editor who arranged for Brian to see the Beatles at The
Cavern for the first time in November 1961, Joe Flannery, Epstein's
former business partner, Rod Davis of The Quarrymen and Adam Ant, whose
mother was Paul McCartney's cleaner in the 1960s.
Paul McCartney was unable to attend but sent a personal message
of goodwill: “I know Brian would have been very proud to think that he
had earned a blue plaque in the West End of London. He played a very
important role in guiding the career of us Beatles and more than that
he was a lovely man whose friendship we all valued and who I will always
remember with great fondness. Congratulations Brian.”
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