"After working on various Beatles projects for The Cavern and The Hard Day’s Night Hotel, I was left with the original models of John, Paul, George and Ringo, lined up on a shelf in my workshop. The group of four heads of John were from the Casbah Club, Hamburg, the mop top style and New York periods, all possible models for the Cavern Wall of Fame statue.

Over the years whilst carving or painting beside the heads I was constantly aware of the triumphs and tragedies of the Beatles. The collection of Johns heads was just a snapshot of his short creative life. It made me think of how it would be possible to make a sculpture depicting different emotions and styles he passed through, from his early childhood in a Liverpool suburb to his time in New York. Looking through the media of the period you can see John changing as he rides the pressure wave of stardom.

 

From the early days and his childhood love of Alice in Wonderland, to the following period of living the life of Just William (or Just John) and his naughty approach to life, John was always pushing the boundaries. His mother’s influence with her banjo playing and singing must have planted the musical seed which began to grow at Quarry Bank school. A group of young men all following the latest craze began a skiffle group with John who by then was something of a rebel as their leader. And the rest as they say is history.

 

It is the rebel aspect of Johns life which interests me, the human condition and how to change it. Human beings who are out of step with the culture they live in are often classed as trouble makers. But may go on to change the way we think, or change our world. John in his own way, through music gave pause for thought ‘Give Peace a Chance’ or better still ‘Imagine’. Listen to the words and apply them to our dystopian world, to make it a better place for all."

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- Dave Webster 'Love your Planet'