#cillablack

“In January 1968 Jimi and I were invited to the press launch of a band called Grapefruit, who were associated with John Lennon and named after Yoko Ono’s book Grapefruit.

“Jimi and I were not going to go, but at the last minute Brian Jones turned up at our flat and went to great lengths to persuade us to attend. I wasn’t happy because my hair was a mess and I hadn’t washed it but Brian was so keen for us to go that I decided to put a wig on and make it look as good as I could.

“We got in a taxi and went to the reception rooms just off Hanover Square. They were at the Mayfair Suite of the Hanover Grand Hotel. Brian, Jimi and I sat in a line on uncomfortable chairs. I really didn’t want to be there and the wig, which was driving me crazy, kept sliding down and I repeatedly had to try to set it straight.

“As well as us, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Donovan, and Cilla Black attended the press launch. Jane Asher was there also. Grapefruit went on to record for the next couple of years, but I hated that wig so much I never wore it again.”

[Kathy Etchingham, Jimi Hendrix’s girlfriend, www.kathyetchingham.com ] 

Photos from the launch party for Apple band, Grapefruit attended by Paul and Jane, John and Cynthia, Ringo and Maureen, Jimi Hendrix and girlfriend, Kathy Etchingham, Cilla Black, Donovan and Brian Jones among others (but not George, who was in India at the time). 

The party was held on the 18th January , 1968 in the Mayfair Suite of the Hanover Grand Hotel, London for Grapefruit’s new single, Dear Delilah which was due to be released on Apple Records the following day. Jane was showing off her diamond engagement ring in many photos, given to her by Paul at Christmas.  

Scanned using the Creality Otter with the Wireless Bridge, it took about 5 minutes to scan. It tackled this statue fantastically, even with the tiny gap at the back.

The life-size bronze statue of Cilla Black on Liverpool’s Mathew Street stands as a tribute to the beloved singer and television presenter, commemorating her significant contributions to the city’s rich musical heritage.

Unveiled on January 16, 2017, the statue is situated outside the original entrance of the Cavern Club—the very spot where Cilla Black worked as a cloakroom attendant before rising to fame in the 1960s. The unveiling coincided with the 60th anniversary of the Cavern Club, a venue renowned for its pivotal role in the careers of numerous artists, including The Beatles.

NME

Artists Emma Rodgers and Andy Edwards collaborated on the sculpture, capturing a youthful Cilla with her arms outstretched, embodying her vibrant stage presence. The dress of the statue features squares depicting images and text from Cilla’s life and career, including song titles, lyrics, and personal quotes. Notably, the base resembles a 45 RPM record of her hit single “You’re My World,” adorned with an anemone flower, reflecting her wedding bouquet.

Emma Rodgers

Commissioned by Cilla Black’s sons—Robert, Ben, and Jack Willis—the statue serves as a gesture of gratitude to Liverpool for the outpouring of love following their mother’s passing in 2015. Robert Willis expressed that his mother would have been “very flattered, proud and honoured” by the tribute.

NME

The Cilla Black statue not only honors her legacy but also celebrates Liverpool’s enduring influence on British music and culture.