Beatles drummer Ringo Starr and the estates of John Lennon and George Harrison paid tribute to German photographer Astrid Kirchherr, who reportedly died in Hamburg, Germany on Tuesday at 81 years old.
Kirchherr is perhaps best known for her early photographs of the Beatles while the band played clubs in Hamburg during their early years pre-Beatlemania. The photographer is often cited as the source of the band's iconic mop-top haircut during their early years. She dated then-bassist Stuart Sutcliffe, giving him the haircut that later became associated with the band.
Following the photographer's death, Starr shared a photo of the band with Kirchherr. "God bless Astrid a beautiful human being And she took great photos peace and love," he wrote. The band's original drummer Pete Best also wrote a tribute to the photographer. Harrison's estate wrote that Kirchherr was loved by the whole family, including the Beatles guitarist.
God bless Astrid a beautiful human being And she took great photos peace and love 😎✌️🌟❤️🎶🎵🍒🥦☮️ pic.twitter.com/fGXqDbz5bW
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) May 15, 2020
Absolutely stunned to hear the news of Astrid passing. God bless you love. We shared some wonderful memories and the most amazing fun times. Condolences to family and friends, Pete (Petey) pic.twitter.com/lNduJ8EHHC
— Pete Best (@BeatlesPeteBest) May 15, 2020
Rest in peace, Astrid Kirchherr pic.twitter.com/cX5DRIvpQJ
— John Lennon (@johnlennon) May 15, 2020
Astrid is and was the sweetest woman, so thoughtful and kind and talented, with an eye to capture a soul. Our family loved her and none more than George. I am truly saddened but honoured to have known her. Olivia #AstridKirchherr pic.twitter.com/5Dt7OmuGS8
— George Harrison (@GeorgeHarrison) May 15, 2020
During an interview with Retro Sellers, Kirchherr said that she was asked about the band's haircuts the most, despite it only being a fraction of why they're successful. "Of course it's their haircut which I do get furious sometimes because it has got nothing to do with the genius of the Beatles. That was just a little tiny part which helped them to put them on their way," she said.
During a 2008 interview with National Public Radio, Kirchherr said that she had an instant connection with Sutcliffe, who died in 1962. "When I saw him for the first time, I knew that was my man," she said. "He was and still is the love of my life, even though he's gone for such a long time. 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, you name it, and that he was."
Beatles biographer and historian Mark Lewisohn announced her death on Twitter on Friday. "Danke schön, Astrid Kirchherr. Intelligent, inspirational, innovative, daring, artistic, awake, aware, beautiful, smart, loving and uplifting friend to many. Her gift to the Beatles was immeasurable. She died in Hamburg on Wednesday, a few days before turning 82. RIP," he wrote, later writing another tweet stating that she'd died on Tuesday.
Danke schön, Astrid Kirchherr. Intelligent, inspirational, innovative, daring, artistic, awake, aware, beautiful, smart, loving and uplifting friend to many. Her gift to the Beatles was immeasurable. She died in Hamburg on Wednesday, a few days before turning 82. RIP. pic.twitter.com/c8UHNK1tj4
— Mark Lewisohn (@marklewisohn) May 15, 2020
Other tributes poured in on Twitter from fans and celebrities. Lennon's son Julian also wrote "Rest in Peace Astrid" on his Twitter. Paul McCartney's guitarist and bassist Brian Ray also wrote a tribute to the photographer on his Twitter, mentioning the haircut origin.
Rest In Peace Astrid.... ♥️🙏🏻😘https://t.co/mt7h3lnXtU
— Julian Lennon (@JulianLennon) May 15, 2020
RIP Astrid Kirchherr, who was an important influence on the early Beatles, and to whom many attribute the band's revolutionary style and haircuts. https://t.co/awcW0KRrqv
— Brian Ray (@brianrayguitar) May 15, 2020
Fans shared photos of her with the band and some of the iconic pictures she took of the band. "[S]he has finally been reunited with her Stu," one fan wrote.
The beautiful, influential Astrid Kirchherr has passed away and she has finally been reunited with her Stu.
— long tall sh(ort)y 🍓 (@oblabeatles) May 15, 2020
Astrid had a successful career and her impact on The Beatles is still felt today. She gave us the stunning Hamburg photos and was a true friend to the boys - viel liebe 💓 pic.twitter.com/iH8mXi5WAx
Astrid Kirchherr with the Beatles on April 1963 in Spain on a holiday.
— Nav iii ☁️🎲 🎶 (@jojmacca) May 15, 2020
This would be the last time the Beatles would be able to go on a vacation without being recognised.
You can see the friendship and the warmth they shared with their dear friend, rest in peace Astrid. 🥺❤️ pic.twitter.com/QRYpoOOKh2
pictures of john and george in stuart sutcliffe's art studio, taken by astrid kirchherr (1962) pic.twitter.com/AUUIf65Hfl
— ☾ ð£ð®ð¥ð¢ðšð§ðš (@bracketgeo) May 15, 2020
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
